A 64-year-old man, Lateef Durojaiye, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for defiling an 11-year-old girl.
Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos Domestic Violence Court in Ikeja handed down the sentence yesterday after finding Durojaiye guilty of the charge.
The court heard that the incident occurred on November 30, 2019, at Durojaiye’s residence in Ikorodu, Lagos. The victim’s mother had left her daughter at home while she went to purchase goods for her shop.
Durojaiye, a neighbour, visited the residence and took advantage of the situation to defile the young girl.
The crime was discovered five days later when the victim’s mother noticed she was walking with a limp. Upon further examination, injuries were found.
The victim’s mother reported the incident to the police, and Durojaiye was subsequently arrested and charged.
During the trial, the prosecution presented five witnesses, including the victim, her mother, the investigating police officer, a neighbour, and a medical doctor. The victim testified that Durojaiye had sexual intercourse with her. Her testimony was corroborated by her mother and the medical doctor, who confirmed the presence of injuries.
Durojaiye denied the charges, claiming he was not at the crime scene on the day in question. He alleged that the story was fabricated by his landlord, with whom he had a dispute. However, the judge dismissed his defence, stating that the prosecution had proven the case beyond a reasonable doubt.
In sentencing Durojaiye, Justice Oshodi stated that the victim had endured both physical and psychological trauma as a result of the crime. He ordered that Durojaiye’s name be registered as a sex offender in the Lagos State government’s database.
