The Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court has sentenced Sunday Uche, a 21-year-old groundnut trader, to life imprisonment for the defilement of a four-year-old girl.
Justice Ramon Oshodi emphasized that the prosecution successfully proved the charge of defilement against Uche beyond any reasonable doubt. He described Uche’s actions as heinous and deserving of the maximum punishment prescribed by law.
Uche had been held in custody since February 1, 2017, following allegations of defilement by penetration, to which he initially pleaded not guilty. The offence, as per the prosecution led by I.D. Solarin, violated Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State and took place on February 2, 2017, at Uche’s residence.
During the trial, Uche admitted to the crime, stating that he engaged in sexual intercourse with the young girl after she came to his house asking for groundnuts. His confession, coupled with evidence including statements from the victim’s mother and medical reports, solidified the case against him.
In delivering the judgment, Justice Oshodi held that Uche’s guilt was established under Sections 135i and 139 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, considering statements from law enforcement, medical examinations, and Uche’s own admissions. He characterized the offence as severe, involving the exploitation of a vulnerable child’s trust, with profound physical and psychological consequences.
Consequently, Uche was convicted on one count of defilement by penetration and sentenced to life imprisonment. The judge also ordered that Uche’s name be registered in the Lagos State Sexual Offences Register to prevent further risks to public safety, particularly children.
