The Lagos State Sexual Offences & Domestic Violence Court Sentenced, Tayo Akinboyewa to Life Imprisonment for Defiling a 12 Year Old Girl.
His name will be registered in the Sexual Offenders Register as maintained by Lagos State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Rahman Oshodi held that the prosecution proved the charge of defilement against Akinboyewa.
According to him, there was abundant evidence that the defendant had sexual intercourse with the prosecutrix, who, to his knowledge, was a child and the prosecutrix gave a direct eyewitness account.
The judge further said that the defendant’s confessional statement satisfied all the legal requirements of a confessional statement.
He said: “I am satisfied that the prosecution has established defilement beyond reasonable doubt and I resolved the issue for determination in favour of the prosecution and against the defendant.
“Therefore, considering all the evidence presented in the case, I hereby find the defendant guilty and convict him under section 137 of the Crime Law (supra).
“Your actions were a gross violation of the victim’s innocence, dignity and bodily integrity. You took advantage of your status as a neighbour and the victim’s young age to sexually abuse her for your gratification, with no regard for the trauma and harm inflicted upon her.”
The judge reiterated that children deserved to be protected, nurtured and not exploited in such a vile manner.
The judge said he had considered the seriousness of his offence, the victim’s age, the breach of trust and the physical and psychological impact on the survivor.
“Even though your counsel asked for mercy, you showed no remorse and offered no words of consolation for the victim and her family.
“The law prescribes a severe punishment for the defilement of a child to reflect society’s hatred for such conduct and to protect vulnerable children,” Oshodi said.
“Therefore, I sentence you to life imprisonment, you will be registered as a sex offender and while in incarceration, I urge you to reflect deeply on your actions and strive for redemption. The survivor and her family will have to live with the impact of your crimes.
“I hope this sentence provides them some justice and closure, knowing the perpetrator is being held accountable.”
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