Lagos man sentenced to life in prison for assaulting 11-year-old girl

An Ikeja court has sentenced Idris Ashimiyu to life in prison for defiling an 11-year-old girl.

Justice Abiola Soladoye announced the sentence on Wednesday after finding Ashimiyu guilty of defilement.

When he was first brought to court, Ashimiyu pleaded not guilty to the charge from the Lagos State Government.

In her ruling, Justice Soladoye noted that the prosecution, led by A.A. Adeniyi, presented one witness, the survivor. She testified that she was 13 years old during the trial and 11 when the crime happened.

The girl told the court that she knew Ashimiyu, who helped with errands and washed cars in their compound. She explained that on the day of the incident, he came upstairs, touched her, and then inserted his penis into her vagina.

The judge mentioned that the survivor’s grandmother found out what had happened after looking for her and discovering her with Ashimiyu. She added that Ashimiyu was beaten before being taken to the police station.

Ashimiyu’s lawyer, A.O. Ayode, brought one witness, Ibrahim, to the stand. Ibrahim said he knew Ashimiyu and was aware of the reason for the trial. He testified that he was not present during the incident because he was at work and only learned about it later from a neighbor.

Ibrahim claimed Ashimiyu told him he did not rape the girl but was just playing with her.

Justice Soladoye reviewed the evidence carefully. She considered the testimonies and other evidence, particularly the survivor’s age, her consistent account, and the issue of consent.

The judge stated that the survivor’s testimony was credible and clear. She added that the prosecution proved that the girl was a child and did not consent to the sexual act.

Justice Soladoye pointed out that Ashimiyu did not testify in his own defense. She said the prosecution had established its case beyond reasonable doubt and found Ashimiyu guilty of defilement.

In her statement, Justice Soladoye said, “I have carefully considered the testimonies and other evidence before this court, including the age of the survivor, the consistency of her testimony and the issue of consent.

“I find the testimony of the survivor credible and coherent. The prosecution has established that she was a child at the time of the incident and that she did not consent to the sexual act.

“I am satisfied that the prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. I therefore find Ashimiyu guilty as charged,” the judge concluded.

She sentenced him to life imprisonment and ordered that his name be added to the Lagos State Sexual Offenders Register.

“The name of the convict shall be entered into the Sexual Offenders Register maintained by Lagos State,” she said.