Lagos Furniture Artisan Found Innocent in a Chilling Case Involving His Daughter

 

Taiwo Opasina, a 35-year-old upholstery maker, has been acquitted of charges related to the alleged sexual assault of his four-year-old daughter. The ruling came from Justice Rahman Oshodi at the Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court on Tuesday.

The judge stated that the prosecution failed to meet its burden of proof against Opasina.

Justice Oshodi pointed out that the crucial witness, who was the alleged victim, was not presented in court to provide testimony.

He noted that without the direct evidence from the alleged victim, the circumstantial evidence presented could not fill the gaps in the prosecution’s case.

The judge remarked on the prosecution’s significant hurdle: the lack of the alleged victim’s direct testimony.
“The child was indicated to be an articulate student capable of recognizing family members and answering questions,” the judge said.

“No explanation was provided for the failure to call this essential witness.”

He emphasized that while the evidence presented was troubling, it was not enough to identify the perpetrator.

According to the judge, the testimonies of second-hand information from the child could not be accepted without direct evidence available for cross-examination.

The court ultimately concluded that the prosecution did not substantiate the charge of sexual assault by penetration against Opasina.

“It is better to let nine guilty people go free than to wrongfully convict one innocent person,” the judge reminded.

“After reviewing all the evidence and adhering to the principle of presumption of innocence, I find that despite troubling circumstantial evidence and inconsistencies in the defendant’s account, the prosecution failed to prove that the defendant assaulted his daughter.

“The lack of direct evidence from the alleged victim leaves an undeniable gap that circumstantial evidence cannot cover.”

Based on this assessment, the issue was resolved in favor of the defendant, and he was declared not guilty.

Following the ruling, the court formally discharged and acquitted Opasina.

During the trial, the state prosecution called two witnesses, a medical professional and a police officer, while Opasina testified as the only witness for his defense.

The alleged incident reportedly took place in December 2017 in the Adore area of Ajah, Lagos State.