Man Gets Life Sentence For Sexually Assaulting Wife’s 6-Year-Old Niece

Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja has convicted and sentenced a 50-year-old artisan, Olumuyiwa Adjoto, to life imprisonment for the defilement and sexual assault on his wife’s six-year-old niece.

Justice Oshodi jailed Adjoto for the rest of his life after he found him guilty of a two-count charge of defilement and sexual assault by penetration under Section 137 and 261 of the Lagos State Criminal Law 2015.

The judge, however, acquitted the defendant of indecent treatment, rubbing hands over the victim’s body, for lack of sufficient evidence.

The prosecutor, Babatunde Boye, called four witnesses, including the convict’s wife, Olayemi Hunsa; the survivor; the Investigative Police Officer; and a medical doctor, while the convict testified in his own defence.

In his judgment, Justice Oshodi reviewed the testimony of the convict’s wife, Olayemi Hunsa, who stated that the survivor, her younger sister’s granddaughter, stayed with them in Mowo, Badagry, during the Easter holiday in April 2022.

He noted, “On 22 April, she left the girl at home around 5 a.m. to go to Idumota market. When she returned, the girl was moody and shouted, ‘my bum bum’ when placed on her lap, blaming ‘daddy’. Medical examination revealed she had been “dis-virgin.”

“The survivor testified in an unsworn evidence that while doing homework, Adjoto pushed her onto the bed, inserted his hand and “thing” into her “bum bum” (indicating her private area), slapped her when she cried, then cleaned her with a white cloth, bathed her, and dressed her. She demonstrated these acts in court.

“Defending himself, Adjoto claimed an alibi, stating he was at Premium Pension in Agbara and his first wife’s home in Igborosun until after 8 p.m.

“He alleged marital issues with Olayemi over his first wife prompted the false accusations.

“I find that the prosecution has proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant had unlawful sexual intercourse with the prosecutrix, a child of six years, on 22 April 2022.

“I have considered your remarks urging me to show mercy toward you, as well as the prosecution’s remarks during sentencing.

“The evidence before this court has established that you defiled and sexually assaulted a six-year-old child who was entrusted to your care. You penetrated her vagina and anus, causing her immense physical and psychological trauma.

“Dr Olubukola Elizabeth Olatunji, a senior registrar at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, testified about the devastating impact of your actions on this child.

“She explained that the immediate effects include fear, difficulty trusting people, social withdrawal, possible urinary incontinence, and declining academic performance.

“The delayed psychological impacts include depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and difficulty maintaining relationships, including marital relationships.

“You have inflicted upon this innocent child wounds that may never fully heal.

“The punishment prescribed by law for the offence of defilement under section 137 of the Criminal Law is life imprisonment.

“The punishment prescribed for sexual assault by penetration under section 261 of the same law is also life imprisonment. These sentences reflect society’s condemnation of such heinous acts against children,” the judge held.