The Ikeja Sexual Offences Court found the accused guilty of defilement and sexual assault after ruling that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

The Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court in Lagos has sentenced a man, Olumuyiwa Adjoto, to life imprisonment for defiling his wife’s six-year-old niece.

Delivering judgment, Justice Rahman Oshodi ruled that the prosecution successfully proved two of the three charges brought against the convict beyond reasonable doubt.

Adjoto was arraigned by the Lagos State Government on three counts: defilement, sexual assault by penetration, and indecent treatment of a child.

The court found him guilty of defilement and sexual assault by penetration, but discharged him on the third count of indecent treatment of a child.

Justice Oshodi described the offence as grave and deeply disturbing, noting that the harm inflicted on the child could have lasting consequences.

“The evidence before this court clearly establishes that the defendant sexually abused a six-year-old child who was entrusted to his care, subjecting her to severe physical and psychological trauma,” the judge said.

Medical experts testified that victims of such abuse may suffer immediate effects such as fear, social withdrawal, difficulty trusting others, and academic decline. Long-term consequences may include depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and challenges in forming healthy relationships later in life.

The court subsequently sentenced Adjoto to life imprisonment on each of the two counts, ordering that both sentences run concurrently.

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