A 50 year old man, Tajudeen Usman has been sentenced to life imprisonment by Ado-Ekiti High Court for raping a four-year-old, an offence said to have been committed on August 21, 2020 at Ikere Ekiti town of Ekiti State
Penpushing reports that the victim said Usman popularly called Daddy Latifat, who lives in their house, took her to his sitting room on that day, and asked her to sit on his lap, then removed her pants and defiled her.
“He said I should sit on his lap, then he removed my pants and put his something (penis) where I use to urinate (vagina). He used to call me to his sitting room every time to do it’, the innocent victim said in a statement.
Penpushing further reports that mother of the victim, while testifying before the court said she was making cassava when her daughter went to defecate in the area, adding that when she went to pack the faeces , she noticed blood in it
The mother told the court that, when she checked anus and vagina of her daughter, she saw blood coming out and became scared, and on further probe, the innocent girl said it was the convict who defiled her
“I was making cassava flour, when my daughter went to defecate in the area. When I went to pack the faeces, I noticed blood in it. Thereafter, I checked her anus and vagina. I saw blood coming out of the place and I became very scared. When I probed her, she said, ‘it was Daddy Latifat that put his something to where I use to urinate”, she said.
Penpushing also reports that, the mother said that she later reported the matter at Ikere Ekiti Police Station, and the convict was subsequently arrested, and was however, arraigned on a one-count charge
The prosecutor, K.S. Adeyemo, during the trial called five witnesses and tendered the defendant’s statement, as well as the victim’s statement and medical report as exhibits to prove his case, adding that the offence contravened Section 31 (2) of the Child’s Right Law, Cap.C7 Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.
Penpushing reports that, the counsel for the defendant, Tope Salam, prayed the court to temper justice with mercy because of the defendant’s age.
The trial judge, Justice Ogunmoye while delivering judgement said the prosecutor proved before the court that the defendant had sexual intercourse with the minor without her consent, stressing that in all, the prosecution had proved his case beyond reasonable doubt against the defendant.
Penpushing further reports that the judge said the sole issue for determination was resolved in favour of the prosecution, and thereby convicted the accused for life,, explaining that the sentence for the offence of rape under Child’s Right Law was mandatory
‘The sole issue for determination is resolved in favour of the prosecution, the defendant is convicted as charged. The sentence for the offence of rape under Child’s Right Law is mandatory, he is sentenced to life imprisonment”, the judge declared
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