A bricklayer, Azeez Shoderu, also known as Chisco, has been sentenced to life imprisonment by a Lagos State Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court, in Ikeja, for defiling his neighbour’s eight-year-old daughter in a toilet.
The convict was sentenced on Monday by Justice Rahman Oshodi following the prosecution’s successful proof of the charge of defilement.
Justice Oshodi, in his judgment, held that the prosecution presented overwhelming evidence against the convict, stating, “The evidence before this court is overwhelming and the prosecution has proved the charge of defilement beyond reasonable doubt.”
The judge further observed that Shoderu’s narrative was inconsistent and unconvincing.
The court heard that the offence occurred on July 27, 2022, at the compound where the convict, a squatter at 25 Ago-Hausa Street, Ajegunle, Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area, Lagos, resided.
The convict admitted to interacting with the child, claiming he had asked her to bring water to him in the toilet.
However, the survivor testified, “I went to urinate at the bathroom when he covered my mouth, placed me on his lap, and had sexual intercourse with me.”
The convict denied any wrongdoing when questioned at the police station and pleaded not guilty during his arraignment on September 29, 2023.
The court found the survivor’s testimony credible and corroborated by the medical report and evidence from the Investigating Police Officer and the medical doctor.
Justice Oshodi emphasised the legal position on consent, stating, “A child who has not attained the age of 18 years is incapable of consenting to sexual activity.”
He added, “The convict’s actions have inflicted deep psychological wounds on the victim, which may take a lifetime to heal.”
The judge ordered that Shoderu’s name be registered in the Lagos State Sexual Offenders Register.
The prosecution, led by O.S. Dada, during the trial, called three witnesses and tendered exhibits to prove the charge.
The defence counsel pleaded for leniency, noting that the convict was a first-time offender and hoped the sentence would serve as a lesson.
However, the prosecution urged the court to consider Shoderu’s exploitation of his position and the victim’s vulnerability.
Dada submitted, “The victim was eight years old, a child who should have been safe in her home environment.”
After hearing the submissions, Justice Oshodi said, “The Investigating Police Officer indicated that this is not the convict’s first offence.”
Consequently, the court pronounced Shoderu guilty of defilement and sentenced him to life imprisonment.
