Court sentences press worker to life imprisonment for rape, child defilement

Court sentences press worker to life imprisonment for rape, child defilement

In a landmark ruling, a Lagos court has sentenced Emmanuel Lakehinde, a press worker, to life imprisonment for the rape and defilement of an 11-year-old girl, marking a significant victory in the fight against child sexual abuse in Nigeria.

Lakehinde was convicted by Justice Rahman Oshodi at the Special Offences and Domestic Violence Court in Ikeja, following a trial that revealed harrowing details of the assault, which occurred on December 12, 2013, at Sanusi Street, Shomolu.

The prosecution, led by Babajide Boye, presented compelling evidence, including testimonies from the survivor, her grandfather, and a medical expert. The court found that Lakehinde, along with accomplices still at large—one of whom, Sesan Oluwole, is currently evading justice—violated Sections 137 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

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Justice Oshodi, in his judgment, condemned the act as one of the gravest crimes under Nigerian law, stating:

“The child you assaulted was 11 years old. Her family rightly rejected any plea bargain, as your actions have caused irreversible harm and trauma that will stay with her for life.”

In addition to the life sentence for defilement, Lakehinde received 10 years for conspiracy. The court also ordered that his name be entered into the Sex Offenders Register, in line with Sections 33 and 38 of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) Law, 2021.

This ruling underscores the Lagos judiciary’s commitment to upholding justice for survivors of sexual violence and ensuring that sex offenders in Nigeria face the full weight of the law.

Court sentences press worker to life imprisonment for rape, child defilement