MICHAEL AKINOLA
The Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court has sentenced a security guard, Saviour Udoh, to life imprisonment for defiling a five-year old girl inside the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) parish on Oshifila Street, Anifowoshe, Ikeja, Lagos.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the Presiding Judge, Justice Rahman Oshodi, found Udoh guilty as charged and sentenced him accordingly on a one-count charge bordering on sexual assault by penetration.
The prosecution counsel, Mr. Babajide Boye, had told the Court that the convict committed the offence on December 12, 2018, at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) parish on Oshifila Street, Anifowose, Ikeja, Lagos.
Boye alleged that the defendant sexually assaulted the girl by penetrating her with his fingers. While delivering the judgment, Justice Oshodi held that the prosecution proved the charge against Udoh beyond reasonable doubts.
He said he had carefully considered the evidence presented during the trial, which included the convict’s confessional statement, the testimony of the survivor, her mother, the Investigative Police Officer (IPO), and the medical evidence.
Justice Oshodi said the crime was a grave one as it involved the sexual exploitation of a vulnerable child.
The judge said: “The prosecutrix (survivor), who was only five years old at the time of the incident, trusted you as ‘Uncle Saviour’ and her mother entrusted you with her care but you breached that trust most disgustingly by sexually assaulting the child in a place of worship”.
“The impact of your actions on the prosecutrix and her family cannot be overstated because the prosecutrix’s mother, in her testimony, stated that she was still taking the victim to the hospital three years after the incident and that the prosecutrix was still having discharges.”
“This statement highlights the long-lasting physical and emotional trauma inflicted upon the child and the ongoing medical issues she faces as a result of your actions.”
“Sexual assault by penetration is a serious offence that attracts a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment under Section 261 of the Lagos State Criminal Law (supra) and this severe punishment reflects society’s condemnation of such heinous acts and the need to protect our children from sexual predators.”
The judge added: “Therefore, having found you guilty of sexual assault by penetration, I now sentence you, Saviour Udoh, to life imprisonment, as mandated by Section 261 of the Criminal Law (supra)”.
“You will serve this sentence in a Maximum-Security Custodial Centre or wherever the Nigerian Correctional Service may direct you, and your name will be added to the register of sex offenders.”