Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Ikeja Sexu@l Offences and Domestic Violence Court has sentenced a 41-year-old car cleaner identified as Ezekiel Udoh, to life imprisonment for d#filing and impregnating his neighbor’s granddaughter, aged 12.
Delivering her judgment, Justice Oshodi said the convict took advantage of the young girl under the pretense of running errands and exploited her vulnerability and proximity.
“Evidence before this court reveals a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior. You deliberately lured this girl to your room under the pretense of running errands and exploited her vulnerability and proximity. As a neighbour, most disturbingly, you engaged in sexu@l intercourse with her twice, showing a calculated and persistent pattern of abuse. A child was forced to bear a child, forever altering the course of her life” he said
He concluded that the prosecution successfully proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Udoh committed the offense.According to the judge, the impact of the convict’s actions is severe and far-reaching, as the defilement led to an unwanted pregnancy at a young age.
“Section 137 of the Criminal Law prescribes life imprisonment for the offence of defilement, reflecting society’s utter condemnation of such an act and its determination to protect its most vulnerable members. This sentence serves as a deterrent to others contemplating similar crimes against children. I, therefore, sentence you to life imprisonment under Sections 33 and 38 of the Lagos State Domestic and Violence Agency Law, 2021.”
He further stated that the convict’s name should be recorded in the Lagos State s@x Offenders Register.
The prosecution team, led by Lagos State counsel Mr. Babajide Boye, presented three witnesses during the trial: the minor survivor, her grandmother, and a social worker.
The prosecution argued that the offense was committed in January 2020 in Amuwo Odofin, Lagos. According to the Lagos State Government, the offense violates Section 137 of the 2015 Criminal Law.