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Father Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for Defiling Eight-Year-Old Daughter in Lagos

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Lagos State Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court, presided over by Justice Rahman Oshodi, has delivered a landmark judgment by sentencing Suleiman Usman to life imprisonment for the heinous crime of defiling his own eight-year-old daughter. The Lagos State government had brought forth a two-count charge against Usman, accusing him of defiling his two daughters, aged eight and five respectively, at their residence in the Onisewo area of Apapa, Lagos State.

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Lagos state: Details of the case

Justice Oshodi, after carefully reviewing the evidence and considering the charges, found Usman guilty as charged, and the state government's plea for justice was rightfully answered. Usman, despite pleading not guilty during his arraignment, could not escape the weight of the evidence against him.

The legal journey began when Usman was first arraigned before Justice Sybil Nwaka in October 2019. However, due to the judge's elevation to the Court of Appeal, the case was reassigned to Justice Oshodi's court for re-arraignment. This transfer did not deter the pursuit of justice for the victims, as the Lagos State government was committed to ensuring the safety and protection of its citizens, particularly the vulnerable ones.

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(Also Read: Massacre in La Guajira: Victims’ Identities Confirmed by Legal Medicine)

Throughout the trial, the prosecution presented a strong case, calling four witnesses to testify against Usman. Among them were the first survivor, the eight-year-old girl, the Investigative Police Officer (IPO), the defendant's wife (who is the mother of the survivors), and a medical doctor from the renowned Mirabel Centre. Their testimonies shed light on the horrifying acts committed by Usman and provided crucial evidence for the court to consider.

The sentence

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In delivering the judgment, Justice Oshodi exonerated Usman of the second charge due to the prosecution's failure to present sufficient evidence. The second survivor, the five-year-old daughter, did not testify regarding her own defilement, leading to the court dismissing the charge. However, Justice Oshodi emphasized that this does not diminish the gravity of Usman's actions and the punishment he rightfully deserves.

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Considering the heinous nature of the crimes committed, Justice Oshodi sentenced Usman to life imprisonment for count one. The court took into account various factors, including the survivor's testimony, corroborated by the medical doctor's expert opinion, as well as the circumstantial evidence and eyewitness accounts. Justice Oshodi, in his statement, expressed the urgent need to address the prevalent issue of sexual crimes against children and the society's responsibility to protect its most vulnerable members.

"Our society is prone to sexual abuse, sexual crimes against children are so prevalent. Our laws in Lagos have zero tolerance for your gang of pedophiles that is not acceptable," stated Justice Oshodi, clearly conveying the severity of such crimes. He further addressed Usman directly, highlighting the despicable nature of his actions: "In your case, the survivor is your daughter. You put your penis in her vaginal and her anus, the survivor was 8 years at the time because she has excruciating pain."

(Also Read: Tragic Discovery: Two Kidnapped Men Found Dead in Jamundi, Valle Del Cauca)

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