By Emmanuel Daniji

Advertisements

A Lagos court has sentenced a man, Idris Ashimiyu, to life imprisonment for defiling an 11-year-old girl, while police in Bayelsa State have arrested a 50-year-old pastor over allegations of sexually abusing two underage girls.

The two cases have renewed concerns about the safety of children and the need to ensure that those accused of sexual offences against minors are properly investigated and brought before the law.

In Lagos, Justice Abiola Soladoye of the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court, Ikeja, handed Ashimiyu the life sentence after finding him guilty of defilement.

Ashimiyu had pleaded not guilty to the charge and faced trial.

During the proceedings, the prosecution called the young girl as its witness. She told the court that she was 13 years old when she testified but was 11 at the time of the incident.

The girl said she knew Ashimiyu because he ran errands and washed cars within their compound. She narrated how he allegedly touched her inappropriately before sexually assaulting her.

According to her testimony, her grandmother later found them together after searching for her. Ashimiyu was reportedly beaten before being taken to the police station.

The defence also called a witness, who told the court that he knew the defendant but was not present when the incident happened. He said he only heard about it from a neighbour and that Ashimiyu had denied raping the girl.

In her judgment, Justice Soladoye said she had carefully considered the evidence presented, including the girl’s age and the consistency of her account.

The judge described the girl’s testimony as credible and coherent, ruling that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

She consequently sentenced Ashimiyu to life imprisonment and ordered that his name be entered in the Lagos State Sexual Offenders Register.

In a separate development in Bayelsa, police have arrested a 50-year-old pastor, Ambros Mark, following allegations that he sexually abused two girls aged 13 and 14.

The girls were reportedly members of the choir at Point of Redemption Church International, behind the Amarata area of Yenagoa.

The case reportedly came to light after the older girl raised concerns about the alleged sexual acts and informed her father, a police officer attached to the state command. Her father subsequently lodged a complaint at the ‘A’ Division Police Station, leading to the pastor’s arrest.

Bayelsa Police spokesperson, Musa Mohammed, confirmed the arrest and said investigations were ongoing. He added that the Commissioner of Police had directed that the suspect and the case be transferred to the state police headquarters for further investigation and prosecution.

The allegations have attracted the attention of women’s rights organisations, including the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Bayelsa State chapter, and the Do Foundation.

FIDA Bayelsa Chairperson, Dr Boma Tonye Miebai, said the organisation was monitoring the case to ensure that the children’s rights and interests were protected. She called for a thorough investigation and diligent prosecution, adding that nobody should be considered above the law because of a religious position.

The founder of the Do Foundation, Dr Dise Ogbise Goddy Harry, also condemned the reported abuse and expressed concern over the allegations.

FIDA further stressed that the girls must be protected from further harm and given access to appropriate legal and psychological support.

While Ashimiyu has been convicted by the Lagos court, the allegations against the Bayelsa pastor remain under investigation. Authorities are expected to establish the facts of the case through the ongoing process.