The Ikeja sexual offences and domestic violence court on Monday, January 19, sentenced Olumuyiwa Adjoto to life imprisonment for sexually abusing his wife’s six-year-old niece at Mowo area of Badagry, Lagos state.
Delivering judgment, Justice Rahman Oshodi ruled that the Lagos state government proved its case against the defendant on two counts beyond reasonable doubt.
Adjoto was prosecuted on charges of defilement, sexual assault by penetration, and indecent treatment of a child.
While the court convicted him of defilement and sexual assault, it discharged and acquitted him of the count relating to indecent treatment.
During the trial, the prosecution, led by Bukola Okeowo, called four witnesses, including the survivor, her mother, a medical practitioner, and an investigating police officer.
The defendant testified as the lone witness in his defence.
The prosecution told the court that the offences occurred on April 22, 2022, after the defendant’s wife temporarily left the child under his supervision.
The offences were said to contravene sections 137 and 261 of the criminal law of Lagos state, 2015.
Justice Oshodi described the offences as severe violations against a child, stressing that such acts often leave victims with long-term physical and emotional scars.
He stated that the defendant abused a position of trust after the child was left in his care.
The judge relied on expert medical evidence tendered during the trial, which detailed the physical and emotional impact of the abuse on the child.
He noted that the victim suffered immediate psychological distress and could face long-term emotional consequences.
Justice Oshodi sentenced Adjoto to life imprisonment on each of the two counts, with both sentences to run concurrently.
He further directed that Adjoto’s name be listed in the Lagos state sex offenders register, in line with the provisions of the domestic and sexual violence agency law, 2021.
Comments