A 33-year-old woman, Adeoti Moradeke has been sentenced to three years imprisonment with hard labour by an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrate Court for abusing a child.
Adeoti was arraigned before Magistrate Olatomiwa Daramola on November 29, 2024, on a one-count charge bordering on unlawfully engaging one Adeoti Oyindamola, an eleven year old girl, in hawking of goods and child abuse.
The convict was tried for careless attitude and violation of the Ekiti State Government’s directive against child abuse.
The charge accused the defendant to have unlawfully engaged an 11 year old girl in hawking of goods on the street and highway on November 22, 2024, at Ado-Ekiti which is contrary to, and punishable under Section 30 (2) of the Child’s Right Law of Ekiti State 2019.
The convict’s landlady, Bosede Oso, in her testimony before the court said Moradeke “a.k.a. Iya Dada,” has been treating the little girl said to be her cousin who was living with her, like a slave.
While Moradeke’s children would be in school, the landlady said the victim would be hawking pepper, palm wine and other items on the street and highway, especially, during school hour.
“I and other neighbours had warned her at several times but she refused to change. A man came sometimes ago to assist the girl by enrolling her in school, but Moradeke rejected the offer.
“On 24th November, 2024, we received the news that the girl was involved in a motorcycle accident around Omisanjana Area of Ado Ekiti, eyewitnesses at the scene told us what happened but the girl had been rushed to the hospital, the matter was later reported at the Police station,” Mrs Oso said.
Police Prosecutor, Inspector Adeoye Adesegun called one witness and tendered the defendant and nominal complainant’s statements and hospital card as exhibits to prove his case.
The convict’s counsel, Opeyemi Esan, urged the court to temper justice with mercy.
The convict who did not call any witness claimed ignorance of government’s directive and existing laws on child abuse and hawking, especially during school hour.
In her judgment, Magistrate Olatomiwa Daramola said the defendant clearly confessed to giving the victim pepper and palm wine to hawk in order to raise money to enroll the victim in school.
“The prosecution has established the offence against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt, I find her guilty as charged and I convict her accordingly.
“She is hereby sentenced to three years imprisonment with hard labour or an option of N20, 000.00 fine in lieu of imprisonment,” the Magistrate ruled.
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