An Ikeja Special Offences and Domestic Violence Court has handed down a double life sentence to Olumuyiwa Adjoto for sexually violating his wife’s six-year-old niece.
Delivering judgment, Justice Rahman Oshodi declared that the prosecution had established two of three charges levelled against the convict beyond reasonable doubt.
Adjoto faced three-count charges brought by the Lagos State Government, including defilement, sexual assault by penetration, and indecent treatment of a minor.
While the court convicted him on the first two counts, Justice Oshodi discharged him on the count of indecent treatment.
In pronouncing sentence, the judge described the crimes as heinous, noting that the victim might carry lasting scars from the abuse.
“The evidence tendered before this court confirms that you violated and sexually abused a six-year-old child placed under your protection,” Justice Oshodi stated.
“You penetrated her private parts and anus, inflicting severe physical and psychological harm,” the judge added.
The court heard expert medical testimony from Olatunji, who detailed the devastating consequences of the abuse on the child’s well-being.
The medical professional identified immediate effects including fear, trust issues, social isolation, potential urinary problems, and deteriorating school performance.
She warned that long-term psychological damage could manifest as depression, anxiety, substance dependency, and inability to sustain healthy relationships, including marriage.
Justice Oshodi subsequently sentenced Adjoto to life imprisonment on both counts, ordering that the sentences run simultaneously.
“Following your conviction for defilement and sexual assault by penetration, this court sentences you to life imprisonment on counts one and two. These sentences demonstrate society’s rejection of such abominable crimes against minors,” the judge declared.
The court further directed that Adjoto’s particulars be registered in the Sex Offenders Register, pursuant to Sections 33 and 38 of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency Law, 2021.
Throughout the proceedings, State Counsel Bukola Okeowo presented four witnesses including the survivor, her mother, a medical practitioner, and a police investigator.
Adjoto mounted his own defence, appearing as the lone witness for the defence.
According to the prosecution, the crimes occurred on April 22, 2022, around 1:00pm, opposite Erubami House along Primary School Road, Mowo, Badagry, Lagos.
The court learnt that Adjoto committed the assault while his wife had left for the market, having entrusted the girl to his care.
The charges were filed under Sections 137 and 261 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.