The Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, has convicted and sentenced one 41-year-old stroke patient and labourer, Idris Ashimiyu to life imprisonment for defiling an 11-year-old girl.
Justice Abiola Sholadoye found Ashimiyu guilty of one count charge of defilement after considering the evidence presented by the prosecution and the defence.
The survivor had told the court how the convict had unlawful sexual intercourse with her many times. She was 11- year- old in Junior Secondary School One (JSS1).
She testified that the sexual assault occurred at her grandmother’s residence.
Idris continued having sex with her until the grandmother caught them in the act and called the attention of their neighbours. She then reported the matter to Panti police station.
Idris however, claimed that he was only playing with the girl.
The count reads: “That you, Idris Ashimiyu between December, 2020 to 25th January, 2022, at Moleye Street by Alagomeji, Yaba, Lagos state, in the Ikeja Judicial Division, did defile one 11- year-old minor by having unlawful sexual intercourse with her.
The offence is contrary to Section 137 of the Criminal Law, Ch. C17, Vol.3, Laws of Lagos 2015.”
When the convict was arraigned on April 22, 2023, he pleaded not guilty.
During the trial, the prosecution, led by A.A. Adeniyi called one witness, the victim, who testified as PW1.
The convict fell sick in custody and had a partial stroke.
In delivering judgment, Justice Sholadoye said: “The victim was underage at the time of the incident, the sexual intercourse occurred and a child of her age could not legally give consent.
“Her testimony was credible and compelling, I hereby found you guilty as charged for defilement of a minor.”
