Cleaner Bags Life Sentence For Impregnating 12-Year-Old In Ekiti

• A man has been arrested and arraigned in court for rape and defilement.

• The accused, a cleaner is said to have defiled, and impregnated his neighbor’s minor.

A cleaner in Ekiti,  identified as Ezekiel Udoh, 41 has been arraigned before the Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court for crimes of defilement and rape.

Udoh is said to have impregnated his neighbor’s granddaughter, aged 12.

While prosecuting the accused, the prosecuting counsel led by the Lagos state counsel, Mr Babajide Boye presented three witnesses to the court, the minor survivor, her grandmother, and a social worker.

The prosecution added that the offence was committed for j January 2020 in Amuwo Odofin, Lagos state, and it violates Section 137 of the 2015 Criminal Law.

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Delivering his judgement, the presiding judge, Justice Rahman Oshodi said the prosecution has proved beyond reasonable doubts that the accused committed the crime, adding that he took advantage of the young girl under the pretense of running errands and exploited her vulnerability and proximity.

He said;

“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”

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 added

He further stated that the convict’s name should be recorded in the Lagos State s@x Offenders Register