In a landmark ruling at the Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court, Justice Rahman Oshodi sentenced security guard Olawale Olarewaju to life imprisonment for the heinous crime of defiling a 12-year-old girl. The verdict was delivered on Monday, with the judge asserting that the prosecution successfully established the elements of defilement outlined in charge number LD/2359C/2016 against the defendant.
The survivor, now 18 years old, testified before the court, recounting the horrifying incident that occurred when she was 13. The victim detailed that Olarewaju, employed as a security guard at a construction site, forcefully assaulted her when she went to fetch water at the location. Justice Oshodi highlighted the survivor’s harrowing testimony, indicating that she disclosed how the defendant had forcibly engaged in sexual acts, causing her physical pain.
Quoting the judge, “The prosecutrix gave her testimony and said that she went to fetch water at the construction site where the defendant (convict) worked when he came from her back, closed her mouth, and found herself in the room with him.” The survivor’s account included the defendant tearing her clothes and inflicting sexual violence upon her, prompting her to report the incident to her parents, leading to the involvement of law enforcement.
The judge emphasized the credibility of the survivor’s testimony, noting that her account aligned with her father’s corroborating statements as Prosecution Witness Two. Despite Olarewaju’s inconsistent denials and contradictions during cross-examination, Justice Oshodi found his defense unreliable and subsequently convicted him of the charge, imposing a life sentence.
The prosecution had charged Olarewaju under Section 137 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015. Additionally, Justice Oshodi mandated the inclusion of the convict’s name in the Sexual Offences Register maintained by the Lagos State Government, emphasizing the gravity of the offense and the need for stringent monitoring.
In response to the verdict, the Lagos State Domestic & Sexual Violence Agency reiterated the state’s zero-tolerance stance towards sexual offenses. The agency assured survivors of assistance while reaffirming its commitment to holding perpetrators accountable for their actions. This case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing efforts to address sexual violence and ensure justice for victims in Lagos State.
