Rita Odafe
A 21-year-old groundnut seller, Sunday Uche, was recently handed a life imprisonment sentence by Justice Ramon Oshodi of the Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court for assaulting a 4-year-old girl.
Uche faced the court on a charge of defilement through penetration filed against him by the state, to which he pleaded not guilty. According to the prosecution counsel, I.D. Solarin, the crime committed by Uche goes against Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State. The court was informed that the incident took place on February 2, 2017, at the convict’s residence.
Uche, a groundnut vendor, assaulted the young girl in his house after she came seeking groundnuts.
“I was at home when a young boy brought a four-year-old girl to beg for groundnuts, so I decided to engage in sexual intercourse with her.”
“Afterward, I gave her some groundnuts. The child cried. I knew what I did was wrong, but I was eager. However, I did not ejaculate inside the vagina. After ejaculating, I felt weak, and surprisingly the girl’s mother came to my house looking for me,” he stated.
In the verdict, Justice Oshodi Ramon affirmed that the evidence presented during the trial convincingly established his guilt.
“Based on the evidence provided, including a statement from the IPO of the Sabo Police Command, Lagos State, a statement from the victim’s mother, police referral for medical examination, a detailed medical report from Mirabel Centre dated February 2, 2017, and the defendant’s statements, I find the defendant guilty under Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos.
This is a serious offence that mandates a life imprisonment sentence. The circumstances of this case are deeply troubling: you exploited a four-year-old girl who merely sought groundnuts from you. You took advantage of her vulnerability and trust in the most abhorrent manner. The harm, both physical and psychological, inflicted upon this young victim is significant and likely to have enduring consequences.”
The judge convicted Uche of defilement through penetration and sentenced him to life imprisonment while directing that the convict’s name be entered into the Lagos State Sexual Offences Register.
The presiding judge denied his plea for leniency.
“I have taken into account factors such as the absence of prior convictions and your appeal for mercy and sentencing. Nevertheless, the aggravating circumstances outweigh any other considerations.” the judge stated
