A High Court in Kwara State has handed down a prison sentence to a 22-year-old man after finding him culpable in a child sexual abuse case involving a minor, reinforcing the judiciary’s zero-tolerance stance on crimes against children.
Following a detailed review of evidence presented by the prosecution, the court concluded that the defendant, Ishaq AbdulRazaq, exploited a five-year-old girl through inappropriate sexual conduct, an offence punishable under the state’s child protection laws.
The incident, according to court filings, occurred within the Ilorin metropolis, where the accused was said to have violated the safeguards guaranteed to minors under the Kwara State Child Rights Law.
Delivering judgment, Justice Oba Muritala Folorunsho held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, stressing that the law places a heightened duty on society to protect children from all forms of abuse and exploitation.
Although defence counsel, Dr Bunmi Bewaji, appealed for leniency, describing the convict as a first-time offender who showed remorse, the court declined to temper justice with mercy in the circumstances.
“The age of the offender does not outweigh the gravity of the harm done to a child,” the judge said, adding that accountability must remain central in cases involving vulnerable victims.
Consequently, the court sentenced AbdulRazaq to one year and six months’ imprisonment, noting that the punishment was intended to serve as both justice for the victim and a deterrent to others.
Justice Folorunsho also praised law enforcement agencies and prosecutors for their diligence, saying their efforts ensured that the child’s rights were upheld through the legal process.
He further urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant, warning that “protecting children requires collective responsibility and timely reporting of suspicious behaviour.”
The ruling, the judge added, reflects the Kwara State Government’s commitment to enforcing child protection laws and safeguarding the dignity and welfare of minors across the state.