One Bashir Olashekere has been sentenced to life imprisonment without an option of fine and his name is to be registered in the Sex Offenders Register as maintained by the Lagos State Government.
This is the judgement passed on Bashir Olashekere by Justice Abiola Soladoye of an Ikeja Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Court on Thursday.
The 54-year-old businessman, Bashir Olashekere described as a “randy neighbour” while being sentenced to life imprisonment for defilement by the trial judge.
He was found guilty of a charge of defiling his neighbour’s 10-year-old daughter contrary to Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.
“Children are special and should be nurtured with love and care and should not be molested by an irresponsible randy neighbour. The defendant therefore is to pay for his sexual indiscretions,” ruled the judge.
“The defendant should be shamed. Defilement is a heinous crime against the victim. Not only is the victim traumatised, she will live with it forever.
“It is hoped that the naming and shaming of this perpetrator will help step down cases of defilement in this state of excellence.
“The defendant acted irresponsibly with reckless abandon by defiling his neighbour’s daughter. Adult neighbours are expected to live by example by being moral. What manner of neighbour is this sick paedophile?
“For the above reasons, the defendant is hereby found guilty as charged as the prosecution has proved beyond reasonable doubt, the charge proffered against him.
Delivering the judgement Soladoye noted that during the cross-examination of the survivor’s evidence, she was consistent and unshaken.
The judge also commended the evidence of Dr. Oyedeji Alagbe, a medical doctor at a sexual assault referral center called Mirabel Centre as very illuminating and unshaken during cross-examination.
The state prosecutor, Mr. Olusola Soneye said the convict committed the offence on August 12, 2017 in Ketu, Lagos.
The prosecutor told the court that Obashekere who was known as “Baba Farouq” in the neighbourhood, lured the survivor into his apartment and had unlawful sexual intercourse with her as at the time he was 50-years-old.
He added that he committed the crime under the guise of sending her on errands, then he lures her into his apartment to defile her.
“According to the survivor, after he defiles her, he wipes her private part with a red cloth,” Soneye said.
Four witnesses; the survivor, a medical doctor, the Investigating Police Officer including the survivor’s mother had testified for the prosecution while Obashekere testified in his own defence.
