Lagos Court Jails Man for Life Over Defilement of 11-Year-Old Girl

An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court has sentenced Idris Ashimiyu to life imprisonment for defiling an 11-year-old girl.

Justice Abiola Soladoye handed down the sentence on Wednesday after finding Ashimiyu guilty of a one-count charge of defilement brought against him by the Lagos State Government.

The convict had pleaded not guilty to the charge during his arraignment.

Delivering judgment, Justice Soladoye said the prosecution, led by A.A. Adeniyi, called one witness, the survivor, who testified that she was 11 years old when the incident occurred and 13 at the time of the trial.

The survivor told the court that she knew Ashimiyu, who helped run errands and wash cars within their compound.

She testified that she was outside on the day of the incident when Ashimiyu came upstairs, began touching her and subsequently inserted his penis into her vagina.

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According to the judge, the girl said her grandmother discovered what had happened after searching for her and finding her with the convict.

The survivor also told the court that Ashimiyu was beaten before being taken to the police station.

In his defence, Ashimiyu’s counsel, A.O. Ayode, called a witness identified as Ibrahim, who told the court that he knew the convict and was aware of the reason for his trial.

Ibrahim, however, said he was not present when the incident occurred, explaining that he had gone to work and only learnt about it from a neighbour.

He further testified that Ashimiyu had told him he did not rape the child but was merely playing with her.

In evaluating the evidence, Justice Soladoye said she carefully considered the testimonies and other evidence before the court, including the survivor’s age, the consistency of her account and the issue of consent.

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The judge held that the survivor’s testimony was credible and coherent, adding that the prosecution had established that she was a child at the time of the incident and had not consented to the sexual act.

She also noted that the convict did not testify in his own defence.

“I am satisfied that the prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. I therefore find Ashimiyu guilty as charged,” the judge ruled.

Justice Soladoye subsequently sentenced Ashimiyu to life imprisonment and ordered that his name be entered in the Lagos State Sexual Offenders Register.

“The name of the convict shall be entered into the Sexual Offenders Register maintained by Lagos State,” she added.

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