Man, 41, Bags Life Sentence For Defiling & Impregnating Neighbour’s Grand Daughter, 12

MICHAEL AKINOLA 

A 41-year-old car cleaner, Ezekiel Udoh, will be spending the rest of his life in prison custody as a Lagos Court has sentenced him to life imprisonment for defiling and impregnating his neighbor’s granddaughter, 12.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that it was the judgment of the presiding judge, Justice Rahman Oshodi, of Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court, who found him guilty as charged.

Justice Rahman, while giving the judgment said, “A child was forced to bear a child, forever altering the course of her life”.

He noted that the convict, Ezekiel, took advantage of the young girl under the pretense of running errands and exploited her vulnerability and proximity

“Evidence before this Court reveals a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior.
“You deliberately lured this girl to your room under the pretense of running errands and exploited her vulnerability and proximity.”

“As a neighbour, most disturbingly, you engaged in sexual intercourse with her twice, showing a calculated and persistent pattern of abuse,” he said.

Justice Rahman stated that the prosecution successfully proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Udoh committed the offense.

“The impact of the convict’s actions is severe and far-reaching, as the defilement led to an unwanted pregnancy at a young age.”

“Section 137 of the Criminal Law prescribes life imprisonment for the offence of defilement, reflecting society’s utter condemnation of such an act and its determination to protect its most vulnerable members. “This sentence serves as a deterrent to others contemplating similar crimes against children.”

“I, therefore, sentence you to life imprisonment under Sections 33 and 38 of the Lagos State Domestic and Violence Agency  Law, 2021.”

He further stated that the convict’s name should be recorded in the Lagos State Sex Offenders Register.

The prosecution team, led by Lagos State counsel Mr. Babajide Boye, presented three witnesses during the trial: the minor survivor, her grandmother and a social worker.

The convict served as the sole witness for the defense.

The prosecution argued that the offense was committed in January 2020 in Amuwo Odofin, Lagos, which violated Section 137 of the 2015 Criminal Law of Lagos State.