Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos State Special Offences Court, Ikeja, has heard the testimony of a medical doctor, Dr. Adeniji Emmanuel Akin, who is the first prosecution witness in the trial of David Ogboona over alleged defilement of a 16-year-old girl (name withheld).
Testimony of first witness
During the examination-in-chief on Tuesday, led by the State Prosecution Counsel, Bukola Okeowo, Dr. Akin testified that he is a General Practitioner with five years of professional experience, currently serving in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Orchid Road General Hospital, Lekki, Lagos State.
He stated that his primary duties involve managing clinical and outpatient emergency cases.
Testifying before the court, Dr. Akin recounted that he examined the survivor when she was presented to the facility as an outpatient on April 17, 2025.
Following consultation and routine investigations, the patient reported that she had been sexually assaulted.
“She reported she has been sexually assaulted by a person that was of a significant age disparity with her. She reported the intercourse about a year ago, but the parent just found out,” Dr. Akin told the court.
Giving his medical findings and clinical opinion, the doctor concluded,“The history as well as the examination finding is simply that even though there is no finding of any acute genital tract injury, the break of the hymen does not actually negate that there is no defilement in this case.”
Cross-examination of doctor
During cross-examination by the defence counsel, Dr. Akin was asked how he arrived at his assessment of the age of the girl.
He told the court, “The patient was 16 years at that time, and during history-taking, she mentioned that the entire sexual experience with the boy has been going on for about a year, which is (why) someone has made the conclusion that she was 15 at the time,” the doctor explained.
He further elaborated on hospital registration protocols, “Part of the things you are expected to provide when you are getting the card in our facility are your name, your age, your address, your next of kin. I think if anybody is less than 18, (they) are still a minor.”
The defence counsel probed further, “Please tell me, your conclusion as I understand it, is that despite the fact that there were no lacerations, no infections, no pregnancies, … the hymen was broken, does not necessarily mean there was no defilement. That’s your conclusion?”
To which Dr. Akin firmly replied, “Yes.”
Justice Oshodi thereafter adjourned till January 11, 2027 for continuation of trial.
