CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
A 21-year old groundnut seller, Sunday Uche, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for defiling his neighbour’s four year-old-girl in Lagos State.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the Presiding Judge, Justice Ramon Oshodi, of the Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court found him guilty and sentenced him accordingly.
Justice Oshodi held that the prosecution was able to prove the offence of defilement under the Criminal Laws of the State against the convict without doubt, stating that the convict’s actions were heinous and deserving of the maximum punishment under the law.
The convict, Uche, was arrested, charged before the Court and then remanded in custody on 1st February, 2017, on a count of defilement by penetration.
He pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution counsel, I.D. Solarin, said that the offence committed by Uche contravened Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, which was allegedly committed in his room after the victim went to beg for groundnuts.
“I was at home when one small boy brought a four-year old girl to my house to beg for groundnuts, so I decided to have sexual intercourse with her. After everything, I gave her some groundnuts. The small girl cried. I knew what I was doing was wrong but I was so eager, but I did not release inside her vagina. After releasing sperm, I became weak. Surprisingly, the mother of the girl came to my house to look for me,” he said.
The victim’s mother reported the matter to the Police, he was arrested and charged before the Court but he denied his action.
However, when he was presented with a statement made by him on February 3, 2017, at the State Criminal Investigation Department, the overall case significantly shifted.
While delivering his judgment, Justice Oshodi Ramon held that the evidence presented found the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, under Sections 135i and 139 of the Criminal Law of Lagos.
“Based on the evidence presented, a statement of the IPO of the Sabo Police Command, Lagos State, a statement from the victim’s mother, the Police referral for medical examination, a detailed medical report from Mirabel Centre dated February 2, 2017, and the defendant’s statements, I find the defendant guilty and convict him under Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos.”
“This is a grave offence that carries a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment. The parts of this case are alarming: you took advantage of a four-year old girl, who came to you simply asking for groundnut. You exploited her vulnerability and trust, in the most heinous way imaginable. The physical and psychological harm you have inflicted on this young victim is immeasurable and likely to have a long-lasting effect.”
Justice Oshodi acknowledged the convict’s plea for mercy, saying, “I have considered other factors like the lack of previous convictions and your plea for mercy and sentencing. However, the aggravating factors outweigh any other circumstances”.
He sentenced him accordingly.