An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court has sentenced a 64-year-old man, Lateef Durojaiye, to life imprisonment for defiling his neighbour’s 11-year-old girl.
Justice Rahman Oshodi, in his judgment, held that the prosecution proved the ingredients of defilement against Durojaye, beyond reasonable doubt.
Oshodi said the convict’s case had a complex history as he was initially charged and arraigned on Aug. 5, 2021, but the case was struck out on Nov. 29, 2021, for want of diligent prosecution.
The court said the case was re-listed to the court and was re-arraigned on May 22, 2022, and April 16, 2022, in which he pleaded not guilty.
The judge said the convict’s attempt to deny the offence did not hold water as the survivor did not only endure physical trauma but also the physiological burden of keeping the secret under threat.
He said the evidence of the survivor was corroborated by the medical report and the evidence of other prosecution witnesses.
According to him, the survivor gives a direct account of how the convict defiled her.
The court also held that the medical doctor corroborated the witness’s testimony while giving a medical examination of discovering injuries with consistent forceful penetration.