By Becky Usman

An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court has handed down a life sentence to an apprentice, Godwin Ogboniya, for the sexual assault of his employer’s 9-year-old daughter. The presiding judge, Justice Abiola Soladoye, found the defendant guilty of the one-count charge of sexual assault by penetration.

Justice Soladoye emphasized that the prosecution had successfully demonstrated beyond a reasonable doubt that Ogboniya had committed the heinous act. The defendant, who had been living with the survivor’s father for three years, was described as an “unkind and unworthy employee” who engaged in sexual misconduct with the young girl.

The survivor identified the defendant as her father’s apprentice, who had resided with their family for three years. The judge discredited the defendant’s claim that the survivor’s mother had attempted to seduce him, considering it a self-serving statement and an afterthought that lacked credibility.

The survivor had identified the defendant in court as the person who had sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions when her parents were not at home. Her testimony was strongly corroborated by other prosecution witnesses, making a compelling case.

Justice Soladoye highlighted that the evidence presented in court, both oral and documentary, strongly supported the survivor’s testimony. She praised the investigative police officer for her detailed and diligent testimony, particularly in presenting the medical report.

The judge underlined that for cases of sexual assault, it was not necessary to prove injury or hymen rupture; any penetration, no matter how slight, was sufficient to establish the offense.

In light of the guilty verdict, the defendant was sentenced to life imprisonment. His name would also be registered in the sexual offenses register maintained by Lagos State.

Justice Soladoye stressed the importance of parents and guardians being cautious about entrusting their children to irresponsible adults. She called for community awareness campaigns to combat sexual offenses in society.

The State Counsel, Ms. Abimbola Abolade, presented four witnesses during the trial, while the convict testified as the sole witness. The prosecution contended that the offense had occurred between 2019 and 2021 in Ikotun, Lagos, and was in violation of Section 261 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.