A 14-year-old rape sufferer (title withheld) contracted the Human Immunodeficiency Virus after being defiled by a person recognized as Richard Saviour.
In line with the Lagos State Home and Sexual Violence Company, the perpetrator was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Lagos Excessive Courtroom, Ikeja, for defiling the sufferer, who’s a niece of his spouse.
The decision was delivered by Justice Oyindamola Ogala on Tuesday.
“The decide mentioned that when police took the sufferer to the Mirabel Centre, she was examined and located to be HIV constructive.
She was then transferred to Mary's Dwelling Orphanage and cared for with the assistance of Optimistic Motion for Therapy Entry, a non-governmental group.
“The decide due to this fact convicted the defendant on prices of defilement by illegal assault and sentenced him to life imprisonment within the correctional heart,” mentioned the assertion revealed on the company's X-handle, @Lagosdsva, on Wednesday.
The company famous that the state counsel, Ola Azeez, referred to as three witnesses to show the prosecution's case whereas the convict testified in his protection in the course of the trial.
In her ruling, the decide dominated that the proof of all of the prosecution's witnesses was corroborated and thought of to be the reality.
Choose Ogala mentioned the sufferer's proof was corroborated by the investigating police officer and social employee from the state Ministry of Youth and Social Affairs.
In line with her, these constituted the crime of defilement in opposition to the convict.
The decide mentioned: “The testimony earlier than the court docket reveals the 'evil' accomplished to this younger woman and the way she was abused each mentally and bodily by the suspect and his spouse for years.
“Revealing how she did certainly 'cry out' for assist and was betrayed by those that have been supposed to assist and help her.
“It’s crucial to say at this juncture that the actions of PW2's college principal and social employee (PW3) are commendable as they in the end introduced some assist and reduction to PW2, who’s sadly completely 'scared' been
“After rigorously contemplating the totality of the info earlier than the court docket, it concludes that the prosecution on this case has satisfactorily confirmed the one data confronting the defendant.”
Ogala mentioned the suspect's angle was determined to distance himself from the accusation by denying the offences.
“Certainly, the accused in his testimony earlier than the court docket narrated how in a single occasion, PW2 (the survivor), after operating away from residence to keep away from a beating from his spouse, had run to the station and was subsequently knowledgeable that PW2 accused him of abusing her. .
“The court docket finds that everything of the testimony of the suspect who testified in his protection and didn’t name an extra witness is basically a denial of the cost outright.
“He didn’t present any credible explanations for the allegation aside from makes an attempt to painting PW2 as a cussed woman and somebody who stole from himself and his spouse,” she added.
Reacting to the court docket's judgment, the Head of the Gender Wing of the Take It Again Motion, Omolola Pedro, mentioned acquiring such justice for the victims of sexual violence in Nigeria is a mirrored image of exhausting work and intentionality.
“The survivor should obtain sufficient help, care and therapy when she wants it most. When perpetrators know that the fingers of the legislation can meet up with them, they notice that they aren’t untouchable.
“Nigeria has sufficient legal guidelines, choices and insurance policies to guard the rights of ladies and women. What we’re lacking is implementation and it is a results of the shortage of intent from those that are alleged to be able to assist victims and survivors,” she mentioned. PUNCH Metro in an interview on Wednesday.
PUNCH Metro stories that the Particular Crimes and Home Violence Courtroom, Ikeja, had additionally on Tuesday sentenced a person, Ndedigwe Paul, to double life imprisonment for sexual assault on minors, after an intensive trial that sought justice for the victims.
The convict was sentenced on January 30, 2024 by Justice Abiola Soladoye who, after cautious consideration of the proof introduced, discovered the suspect responsible of two of the three prices of defilement and illegal sexual activity with a minor. opposite to Article 137 of the 2015 Felony Regulation of Lagos State.
