Factory worker gets life sentence for sexually assaulting neighbour's daughter
The testimony of the survivor was truthful, as she identified the defendant as "Baba Jamal" and also gave a vivid account of how he inserted his fingers into her vagina while fetching water in the compound.
An Ikeja Sexual Offenses and Domestic Violence Court on Tuesday sentenced a factory worker, Kazeem Adedayo, to life imprisonment for inserting his fingers into the private parts of his neighbor's 11-year-old daughter.
Justice Abiola Soladoye, in her judgment, held that the prosecution successfully proved the charge of sexual assault by penetration against Adedayo.
Soladoye said that evidence of the survivor corroborated a medical report that the survivor suffered repeated penetration.
She said, "The evidence of the investigating police officer (IPO) was also crucial in this case."
"The testimony of the survivor was truthful, as she identified the defendant as "Baba Jamal" and also gave a vivid account of how he inserted his fingers into her vagina while fetching water in the compound."
"A medical examination which was carried out by Dr Oyedeji Alagbe also revealed reddened and bruised vagina as the hymen was almost obliterated.
"The defendant was unable to explain why he was the only one pointed at, in a house full of tenants, as the perpetrator of the heinous crime.
"The evidence of the second defense witness, the defendant's sister,is unreliable as she does not live with his brother and had no idea when the alleged fingering occurred."
The judge held that prosecution proved the ingredients of the case against the defendant, saying that the survivor could not have consented to any sexual act with the defendant.
She added that two exhibits – A and B – tendered before the court, which were statements of the defendant and the survivor, were unambiguous.
"This honourable court is convinced that the overwhelming evidence is compelling as the survivor identified the defendant in the dock.
"I hereby find the defendant guilty as charged, and he is hereby sentenced to life imprisonment," Soladoye said.
Supreme reports that the prosecution team led by Mr Olusola Shoneye, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, presented three witnesses during the trial while defence presented two.
Prosecution submitted that the convict committed the offence on Jan.12, 2018, about 2.00 p.m. on Markati Lane, Oshodi, Lagos State.
Supreme reports that sexual assault by penetration contravenes Section 261 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.