Introduction: Conviction of Gateman for Child Sexual Assault
In a significant legal development, Justice Abiola Soladoye of the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court in Ikeja, Lagos State, has delivered a verdict, sentencing a gateman, Happiness Sunday, to life imprisonment for his grievous crime of sexually assaulting his employer’s children.
The court’s decision comes as a stern response to the horrifying abuse inflicted upon the two young victims, aged 10 and eight, by the convict.
The Offences and Prosecution
The sexual assaults occurred in 2020 at Jaye Oyedotun Street in the Magodo area of Lagos State, as outlined by the prosecution during the trial.
The prosecution, represented by Mrs. Olufunke Adegoke, presented a compelling case against the defendant, calling four witnesses and presenting exhibits that firmly substantiated the charges.
In contrast, the defendant chose to testify in his defense as the sole witness.
Verdict and Sentencing
Justice Soladoye, in her judgment, unequivocally affirmed that the prosecution had successfully proven the charges against the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt.
Consequently, the court handed down a sentence of life imprisonment for each of the three counts, which encompassed charges of defilement and sexual assault by penetration.
Notably, the judge ruled that these sentences would run concurrently.
The Court’s Rationale
Justice Soladoye highlighted the reprehensible nature of the defendant’s actions, emphasizing that he had breached the trust placed in him as an employee and caretaker of the children.
She reiterated the survivor’s accounts, which were instrumental in bringing the case to light, and condemned the defendant’s blatant falsehoods and lack of remorse.
The judge invoked relevant sections of the Criminal Law, specifically sections 137 and 261, to justify the conviction for defilement and sexual assault by penetration.
She characterized the defendant as a “sexual terrorist” and a “terrible person” whose actions were utterly disgraceful.
Conclusion: A Strong Message Against Child Sexual Abuse
The judgment sends a powerful message about the gravity of child sexual abuse.
Justice Soladoye underscored the importance of vigilance on the part of parents and guardians in safeguarding children.
The court further ordered that the convict’s name be registered in the Sexual Offences Register maintained by the state government, underscoring the need to protect vulnerable individuals from such heinous crimes.