A-30-year-old man, James Samuel has been convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment on Monday for sexually assaulting a six-year-old child. (Names Withheld)
Justice Abiola Soladoye of the Lagos State Sexual Offences Court, Ikeja found him guilty of a two count charge of defilement and sexual assault by penetration.
Justice Soladoye held that the evidence of the witnesses were truthful and certain, and the prosecution has proved each of the ingredients of the offences against the defendant.
The convict, James Adejo Samuel (M), sometime in the month of September 2023, at Lekki Phase 1, Lagos State, in Ikeja Judicial Division, did defile one (F) aged six years by having unlawful sexual intercourse with her.
The offences are contrary to Sections 137 and Section 261, Cap 17, Volume 3 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos, 2015.
The Prosecution Counsel E. O Adeoye told the court that, ”James Adejo Samuel (m), sometime in the month of September 2023, at Lekki Phase 1, in Ikeja Judicial Division, Lagos State, did sexually penetrated the anus of one (F) aged six year without her consent.
Trouble began for the defendant, when the child’s mother and sister returned from the market only to find out that the survivor had been assaulted.
During trial, the mother testified that her child told her that Mr. James Adejo has been having canal knowledge of her, an act the prosecution witness said happened severally at the back of the generator in their compound.
Thereafter, the mother reported the matter to Maroko police station and the defendant was arrested.
When the charge was read to him on the October 7, 2024, the defendant pleaded not guilty at his arraignment.
He was re-arraigned on March 2, 2026 following an anmended charge dated February 17, 2026.
The defendant opened his defence on March 12, 2026.
Delivering the judgment, the judge held the prosecution has proved beyond reasonable doubt the evidence of the offence against the defendant.
She also held that the evidence of first prosecution witness and second prosecution witness was collaborated and cannot be washed away.
The judge noted that single credible witness is enough for the court.
According to the judge, “A minor cannot consent to sexual intercourse, and even if there is consent, it is null and void”, she held.
The court subsequently convicted and sentenced the defendant to imprisonment for life on counts 1 and 2 respectively.
The sentences shall run concurrently, and the name of the defendant shall be registered in the Lagos State Sexual Offence register.
