Ikeja court jails man for life over sexual abuse of wife’s six-year-old niece

The Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court on Monday sentenced Olumuyiwa Adjoto to life imprisonment for sexually abusing his wife’s six-year-old niece, in a judgment that underscored the Lagos State judiciary’s zero tolerance for sexual crimes against children.

Justice Rahman Oshodi, who delivered the ruling, held that the Lagos State Government successfully proved two of the three charges brought against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt.

Adjoto had been arraigned on charges of defilement, sexual assault by penetration and indecent treatment of a child.

In his judgment, the court found Adjoto guilty of defilement and sexual assault by penetration but acquitted him of the third count relating to indecent treatment.

Justice Oshodi described the offences as grave and deeply troubling, noting that the abuse constituted a severe violation of trust and carried long-term consequences for the child.

“The evidence before the court clearly shows that the defendant violated the trust placed in him by abusing a minor who was left in his care,” the judge ruled.

The court relied heavily on expert medical evidence presented during the trial, which detailed the physical and psychological impact of the abuse on the young victim.

According to the medical expert, the child suffered immediate emotional distress marked by fear, withdrawal and noticeable behavioural changes. The expert further testified that such trauma could result in long-term effects, including anxiety, depression and difficulties in forming healthy relationships later in life.

Following the conviction, Justice Oshodi sentenced Adjoto to life imprisonment on each of the two counts, ordering that the sentences run concurrently.

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He stated that the punishment reflected society’s strong condemnation of sexual offences against children and the need to deter similar crimes.

In addition to the custodial sentence, the court ordered that Adjoto’s name be entered into the Lagos State Sex Offenders Register, in line with Sections 33 and 38 of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency Law, 2021.

During the trial, the prosecution, led by State Counsel Bukola Okeowo, called four witnesses, including the survivor, her mother, a medical professional and the investigating police officer. Adjoto testified in his own defence and was the sole witness for the defence.

At the arraignment, the prosecution informed the court that the offences were committed on April 22, 2022, at a location in the Mowo area of Badagry, Lagos State, after the defendant’s wife had left the child in his care.

The offences were said to contravene Sections 137 and 261 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The judgment has been hailed as a strong affirmation of the state’s commitment to protecting children and holding offenders accountable under the law.