The Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court has sentenced one Sunday Uche, a 21-year-old groundnut trader, to life imprisonment for defiling a four-year-old girl.

Justice Ramon Oshodi ruled that the prosecution proved the offence of defilement beyond reasonable doubt, describing Uche’s actions as heinous and deserving of the maximum punishment under the law.

Uche was initially remanded in custody on February 1, 2017, facing a count of defilement by penetration. He pleaded not guilty to the charge. According to the prosecution counsel, I.D. Solarin, Uche’s offence contravened Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.

The court learned that the incident occurred on February 2, 2017, at Uche’s house. Uche defiled the minor after she came to beg for groundnuts.

“I was at home when one small boy brought a four-year-old girl to my house to beg for groundnuts, so I decided to have sexual intercourse with her.

“After everything, I gave her some groundnuts. The small baby cried. I knew what I was doing was wrong but I was so eager, but I did not release inside the vagina. After releasing sperm, I became weak. Surprisingly, the mother of the girl came to my house to look for me,” Uche said.

The victim’s mother reported the crime to the authorities, leading to Uche’s arrest. During cross-examination, Uche presented a different account of the event, but his previous statement to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) on February 3, 2017, significantly shifted the case.

Justice Oshodi found Uche guilty based on the evidence, including statements from the Sabo Police Command, the victim’s mother, a police referral for a medical examination, and a detailed medical report from Mirabel Centre dated February 2, 2017.

“This is a grave offence that carries a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment. The facts of this case are alarming: you took advantage of a four-year-old girl who came to you simply asking for groundnut.

“You exploited her vulnerability and trust in the most heinous way imaginable. The physical and psychological harm you have inflicted on this young victim is immeasurable and likely to have a long-lasting effect,” Justice Oshodi stated.

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. Despite considering Uche’s plea for mercy and his lack of previous convictions, Justice Oshodi stressed the need to protect the public, particularly vulnerable children, and to send a strong message to others.

“Taking all factors into account, I sentence you to life imprisonment, and you will be registered as a sex offender,” the judge concluded.

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