For using his eight and five-year-old daughters as toys to satisfy his sensual desires, one Suleiman Usman will be spending the rest of his life in jail.
Hon. Justice Rahman Oshodi of Lagos State Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court sentenced Usman to life imprisonment on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, after he was found guilty of the charge preferred against him by the Lagos State government.
Usman was arraigned on two counts charge bordering on defilement of his two daughters, aged 8 and 5, at their residence situated at No. 2 Bale Street, Onisewo area of Apapa in Lagos.
The state noted that the offences contravene the provisions of section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.
He had, however, pleaded not guilty to the two counts charge when he was arraigned.
Usman was first arraigned before Justice Sybil Nwaka on October 2019 before the judge was elevated to the Court of Appeal and the case file was reassigned to Justice Oshodi’s court where he was re-arraigned on two counts of charge.
During the trial, the prosecution called four witnesses among which were the first survivor, the 8 years old girl, the Investigative Police Officer (IPO), the defendant’s wife (the mother of the survivors), and the medical doctor from Mirabel Centre.
After the close of the prosecution case, defence opens his case. Three witnesses including the defendant gave evidence before the court.
However, Justice Oshodi exonerated the convict of the second charge.
The court held that the prosecution failed to prove the second charge against the defendant as the second survivor did not testify to the second charge related to her defilement.
On count one, the court held that the testimony of the first survivor corroborate the medical doctor. Justice Oshodi said that he has considered the ingredients of the offences, the confessional statement, circumstantial evidence, and the eyewitness account in sentencing the father to life imprisonment.
He said, “Our society is prone to sexual abuse, sexual crime against children is so prevalent. Our laws in Lagos have zero tolerance for your gang of pedophiles; that is not acceptable. In your case, the survivor is your daughter. You put your penis in her virginal and her anus. The survivor was 8 years at the time… she had excruciating pain.
“You are hereby convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment.”
Last year, an Ikeja Special Offences Court sentenced a 52-year-old man, Akin Isaac, to 21 years imprisonment for defiling and impregnating his 18-year-old daughter.
Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo sentenced the convict on Thursday, September 15, 2022, following his plea bargain application dated 21 April.
“In view of the guilty plea of the defendant to one count of defilement, I hereby find the defendant guilty as charged,” Her Lordship said.
The judge thereafter asked the defendant if he had anything to say, following his conviction.
NAN reports that the convict knelt down in the dock and pleaded for mercy, saying he had an aged mother to look after.
Justice Taiwo thereafter sentenced him to 21 years in prison and added that the sentencing should take effect from June 2020 when he was arrested.
Earlier, the judge had asked the state counsel, Omowumi Bajulaye-Bishi, if the 21 years plea bargain was good enough for the convict, owing to how emotional the survivor was while she was giving her testimony.
“I remember the survivor clearly. She was weeping right here in the box. Abortion, pregnancy, drugs, beating, and all sorts of inhuman treatment meted on her by her father? Do you think 21 years is good enough for him?” the judge asked.
Mrs. Bajulaye-Bishi, in her review of facts dated 6th July, had informed the court that the convict applied and concluded to change his plea, upon which the information against him be amended to the offence of defilement.
The offence was committed between 2014 and 2020 at Akinlagbe Street, Alapere Lagos. It contravened Section 137 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
In a related development, a 20-year-old man, Babangida Isah has been arrested for allegedly defiling a five-year-old girl in Gombe.
Officers of the Gombe state police command have arrested, Babangida Isah from Tike quarters in Bajoga, Funakaye Local Government Area of Gombe.
While parading the suspect before newsmen, spokesperson of the state police command, ASP Mahid Abubakar, said one Yahaya Isah came to the Divisional Police headquarters and reported that the suspect lured his five-year-old daughter, behind an Almajiri school and had carnal knowledge of her.
‘’On receipt of the complaint, the suspect, Isah was arrested where he voluntarily confessed to the crime. Both the suspect and the victim were taken to the hospital for a medical examination; the case will soon be charged to court for prosecution.” Abubakar said
Warning those who derived pleasure in defiling minors particularly, Abubakar said that the command under Etim Oqua will bring them to justice.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Oqua Etim, commends the effort of the detectives attached to the Bajoga Division who were involved in the investigation for their swift action and dedication to duty. He assures the public of the command’s readiness to ensure the safety and security of all citizens. They are to report any suspicious activities and cooperate with the police in their efforts to maintain peace and order in the community.
The CP also encourages officers and men of the command to work tirelessly to ensure that criminals are brought to justice and that the state remains safe and secure for all residents,” Abubakar said
