Man Jailed Infinitum For Raping Minor

A Lagos-based man, Ugochukwu Onuoha has been jailed infinitum for raping a five-year-old minor. 

Justice Rahman Oshodi of Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court delivered the judgment on Tuesday. 

He said that the prosecution established beyond reasonable doubt, the charge of defilement against Onuoha.

Oshodi stated that the prosecutrix (survivor), who is Onuoha's neighbours daught8er, was a child at the time of the incident.

He disclosed that the prosecutrix’s mothers' evidence that Onuoha apologised and promised not to commit the crime again was an admission which corroborated the prosecutrix’s evidence.

“There is abundant evidence that the defendant committed the crime.

“I believed the prosecutrix when she testified before me as she was resolute that it was the defendant that penetrated her vagina with his penis.

“She maintained this during cross-examination and gave further details to embellish her evidence in chief.

“The evidence shows that the defendant had sexual intercourse with the victim, who, to his knowledge, was a child", he added. 

Oshodi also held that the medical evidence showed short and long-term impacts on the victim, as the sexual intercourse could cause structural damage to the vagina, uterus and other surrounding organs of the victim. 

He added: “According to the medical evidence, by the age of the victim, the sexual intercourse you had with her could cause vagina bleeding and may lead to death.

“The psychology of the victim was affected and may require years of counselling.

“You offered no words of consolation for the victim and her family and I do not know at this time what the total ramifications will be for the survivor.

“The extent of damage you have done to the survivor for your sexual gratification is mind-boggling and you did not show any sign of remorse.”

Given the above statement, the judge found Onuoha guilty and sentenced him to life imprisonment. 

He also directed that Onuoha's name should be registered in the Lagos State Sexual Offences Register.

The prosecutor, Mr Adedipupo Adewetan had told the court that the convict committed the offence on June 20, 2021, at Achakpo Street, Olodi Apapa, Lagos.

He said that the offence contravenes Section 137 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos, 2015.