Groundnut Seller Jailed For Raping 4-Year-Old Girl
By Felix Kuyinu
A lawbreaker, Sunday Uche, has been arraigned at the Ikeja Special Offences Court for raping, defiling a four-year-old girl.
At the court sitting on Monday, Justice Rahman Oshodi Sentenced Uche, a groundnut seller, to life imprisonment for the offences.
The judge held that the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that the 21-year-old commited the act. He stated that the offence of rape and defilement by the jailer was a heinous act which can cause a long lasting damage to the victim.
At the court, Uche said, “I was at home when one small boy brought a four-year-old girl to my house to beg for groundnuts.
“I decided to have sexual intercourse with her. After everything, I gave her some groundnuts. The small baby cried. I knew what I was doing was wrong but I was so eager, but I did not release inside the vagina. After releasing sperm, I became weak, surprisingly the mother of the girl came to my house to look for me,” he said.
The prosecution disclosed that the convict commited the act on February 2, 2017 at his residence, thus, contravening Section 135, 137 and 139 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State. He was later remanded in prison custody in February 3 on a count of defilement by penetration preferred against him by the Lagos State Government.
Justice Oshodi, in his ruling said, “Based on the evidence presented, a statement of the IPO of the Sabo Police Command, Lagos State, a statement from the victim’s mother, the police referral for medical examination, a detailed medical report from Mirabel Centre dated February 2, 2017, and the defendant’s statements, I find the defendant guilty under Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos.
“This is a grave offence that carries a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment. The parts of this case are alarming: you took advantage of a four-year-old girl who came to you simply asking for groundnut. You exploited her vulnerability and trust, in the most heinous way imaginable. The physical and psychological harm you have inflicted on this young victim is immeasurable and likely to have a long-lasting effect.
“I have considered other factors like the lack of previous convictions and your plea for mercy and sentencing. However, the aggravating factors outweigh any other circumstances.
“The purposes of sentencing in this case must prioritize the protection of the public, particularly vulnerable children and to send a message to others. Taking all factors into account, I sentence you to life imprisonment and you will be registered as a sex offender in the Lagos State Sexual Offences Register.”
The judge added that the Lagos State Domestic & Sexual Violence Agency, DSVA, reiterates the State’s zero tolerance against sexual crimes. He said that there is help for survivors who speak out, ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable for their actions.