Court sentences man to life imprisonment in Lagos for raping 13-year-old girl

The sexual offences and domestic violence court in Lagos has sentenced one Nurudeen Nasiru to life imprisonment for raping a 13-year-old girl.

Nasiru was said to have raped his neighbour’s daughter after introducing the survivor to pornographic video in February 2021.

During the trial, the prosecution presented three witnesses — a social worker, the survivor and her father.

The confessional statement of Nasiru was tendered as an exhibit by the prosecution.

The defendant was the sole witness called by the defence team.

In her ruling on Thursday, Abiola Soladoye, the trial judge, held that the prosecution had proved beyond reasonable doubt the two-count of defilement and indecent treatment of a child brought against the defendant.

Soladoye ruled that the defendant introduced the survivor to pornographic videos and sexually assaulted her through the anus.

“The defendant was a neighbour who goes to the room of the survivor and opens his phone to show her pornographic videos,” the judge said.

“Afterwards, he will force her to practice what he had shown her on his phone.

“The defendant, in his confessional statement, admitted to having intercourse with the survivor.

“On count one of sexual assault by penetration, the defendant is sentenced to life imprisonment.

“On count two of indecent treatment of a child, the defendant is sentenced to seven years imprisonment.

“The sentencing should run concurrently and his name is to be entered in the Sexual Offenders Register maintained by Lagos State Government.”