Judge Rahman Oshodi ruled that the prosecution had proven beyond reasonable doubt the two charges of adduction and defilement Hat. The convict was sentenced to two years in prison on count one and life imprisonment on count two.
Oshodi, in his judgment, said the facts of the case were dire as Hudu cruelly abducted the 10-year-old survivor from the safety and care of her parents for three agonizing days.
“Her father could not eat and her mother cried incessantly, sick with worry about their missing child.
“The callous disregard you showed for the welfare of a child and the emotional torment inflicted on her parents are shocking.
Worse still, during those three days you repeatedly defiled and sexually abused this vulnerable young girl at the age of ten.
“She suffered unthinkable trauma and violations at your hands, which no child should ever have to endure, and her innocence was stolen.
“You have shown no remorse throughout this process; you openly lied in your testimony and denied the clear evidence against you, including your previous statement to the police.
“The web of falsehoods you have spun to avoid responsibility has only increased your guilt.
“This is a serious case of child abduction and defilement and the law considers the crimes as a severe punishment worthy of the abhorrence of society, to punish the perpetrator and to protect other children from a similar fate.” said the judge.
He also held that the fact that the convict was a first-time offender did not avert the foregoing.
“In light of the seriousness of the offenses, the aggravating features and the lack of remorse, I sentence you as follows:
“On count one, the offense of kidnapping contrary to section 141, I sentence you to two years’ imprisonment to commence on the date of your arrest, July 23, 2019, as shown in Exhibit A-A1.
“On count two, the offense of defilement contrary to Article 137, I sentence you to the mandatory sentence of life imprisonment and you will also be registered as a sex offender.
“The sentences must run concurrently. You will serve your custodial sentence at the Maximum-Security Custodial Center or wherever the Nigerian Correctional Service directs you,” Oshodi ruled.
The judge said the convict had brought the punishment on himself through his bad actions.
“I hope you will use your time in custody to reflect and reform.” Oshodi added.
NAN reports that the State Lead Counsel, Babajide Boyehad called three witnesses: the survivor, her father and one Oluchi Nwoke-Okoia nurse at the Women at Risk International Foundation.
However, the convict testified as the only witness for the defense. Certified copies of his out-of-court statement, dated July 23, 2019, were received and marked as Exhibit A-A1.
The prosecution had alleged that the convict committed the crime on June 30, 2019 at Adekunle Street, Idi Araba, Mushin, Lagos. He told the court that the minor was returning from an errand at night when the convict knocked her unconscious and kidnapped her.
