Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court has found and sentenced Ojo Oladeji to life imprisonment for sexually assaulting an 11-year-old child three times in an unfinished building.
The judge ruled that the prosecution successfully demonstrated Ojo's guilt of sexual assault with certainty.
Oshodi stated that the convict's admission, the medical report, and the direct testimony from the victim all indicated his responsibility for the crime.
He explained, "The victim testified that the defendant, who was a neighbor and a bricklayer, enticed her to an unfinished building on three occasions, gave her alcohol, and engaged in sexual activity with her."
"I trust the victim's direct testimony, her actions in reporting to the police and seeking medical help, as well as the support of her mother, all validate her testimony.
"Furthermore, the defendant confessed to the crime, which supports the victim's account and the medical report."
"I am convinced that the prosecution has incontrovertibly proven that the defendant engaged in sexual activity with the victim, who is a minor and unable to consent to such actions."
As a result, Ojo was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment by the judge.
Oshodi emphasized, "Mr. Ojo Oladeji, I have found you guilty of sexual assault and have considered your request for leniency. However, the evidence shows that you engaged in sexual activity with an 11-year-old, who was unquestionably a child."
"You also supplied her with alcohol, and she informed her mother that she wanted to marry you after she completed her primary education, but her mother had to coax her and play along in order to identify you."
"The psychological damage you have inflicted upon this victim may have long-lasting effects and negatively impact her life and those around her."
"In addition, you confessed to the crime, but during the year-long trial, you resorted to lying."
The judge stressed that sexual assault is a serious offense punishable by mandatory life imprisonment.
"The purpose of the law is to demonstrate that such actions are unacceptable."
"Therefore, the verdict I deliver is one of life imprisonment," the judge stated.
The state prosecutor, led by Mr. Babajide Boye, presented three witnesses, while the defendant also brought forward three witnesses during the trial.
The prosecutor argued that the convict unlawfully engaged in sexual activity with the victim on July 20, 2021, in an unfinished building on Agberuba Street, Meiran, Lagos.
According to the prosecution, the offense violates Section 137 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
