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

The Lagos state sexual offences and domestic violence court has sentenced one Chukwudi Anyanwu to life imprisonment for raping a 13-year-old girl.

Anyanwu, a software engineer, was said to have committed the offence in May 2021 when he lured the girl into his room on Children’s Day.

During the trial, Rahman Oshodi, the presiding judge, said the prosecution was able to provide evidence to show the minor was defiled.

Oshodi said the evidence of the survivor was backed by the medical report and testimony of her guardian.

He said the the prosecution has been able to prove that Iyabo Dawodu and Rebecca Osola-Jacob, the police officers who were listed as witnesses for the prosecution, provided evidence to favour the defendant, which indicated that they were biased.

He said the convict’s alibi and reliance on extortion issues were not valid.

“You have shown a troubling lack of integrity and remorse throughout the proceedings and when you were confronted by the victim’s guardian about the heinous act, you initially denied any wrongdoing,” Oshodi said.

“However, when the young brave survivor repeated the details of your abuse in your presence, you resorted to begging for forgiveness, claiming it was the work of the devil.

“This attempt to evade responsibility and downplay the severity of your action is reprehensible.

“I hope this sentence brings some measures of closure and helps her on the path of healing.

“I now sentence you, Chukwudi Anyanwu, to the mandatory life sentence under Section 137 of the Criminal Law (Supra).”

He added that the name of the convict will be registered in the sexual offenders register as maintained by Lagos state.