Lagos bricklayer bags life imprisonment for raping 8-year-old girl

The sexual offences and domestic violence court in Ikeja, Lagos has sentenced a bricklayer identified as Azeez Shoderu alias ‘Chisco’ to life imprisonment for raping his neighbour’s eight year old daughter.

Shoderu was arraigned before Justice Rahman Oshodi delivered the sentence on Monday, June 16 on charges of rape.

During the ruling, the lead prosecutor, O.S. Dada revealed that the incident took place on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at a compound located at 25, Ago-Hausa Street in Ajegunle, Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area, Lagos (LGA) where Shoderu was squatting.

Dada said, “The victim was eight years old, a child who should have been safe in her home environment.”

He also called on three witnesses and presented evidence to support the charge.

In his defence, Shoderu admitted to having contact with the child, claiming he had only asked her to bring him water in the toilet.

However, the girl testified in court, detailing what happened.

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She said, “I went to urinate at the bathroom when he covered my mouth, placed me on his lap, and had sexual intercourse with me.”

During police questioning, Shoderu denied any wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty when he was formally charged on Friday, September 29, 2023.

However, the court found the child’s testimony to be credible and supported by both the medical report and statements from the investigating officer and medical doctor.

Although the defence lawyer asked the court to show mercy, pointing out that Shoderu was a first-time offender, the prosecution argued that he had taken advantage of the child’s vulnerability.

In his ruling, Justice Oshodi highlighted the legal stance that a child cannot give consent in such cases.

He said, “A child who has not attained the age of 18 years is incapable of consenting to sexual activity.”

“The convict’s actions have inflicted deep psychological wounds on the victim, which may take a lifetime to heal.”

Justice Oshodi also stated that the evidence presented by the prosecution was overwhelming and convincing.

He noted that Shoderu’s account of events was inconsistent and lacked credibility.

Ultimately, the court found Shoderu guilty and sentenced him to life imprisonment.

The judge also ordered that Shoderu’s name be added to the Lagos State Sexual Offenders Register.

Lagos bricklayer bags life imprisonment for raping 8-year-old girl

Benue massacre: More outrage during defence chief, IGP visits

THERE were more outrages across the country on Monday as the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, visited Benue State with a promise to further take the battle to the terrorists.

The defence chief, while on an on-the-spot assessment of the troubled communities of Benue State that have been under attacks by gunmen, said the military would double its efforts at ending the killings in the state and parts of the country.

Musa, who spoke with newsmen at Yelwata community, after he assessed the carnage, said the attackers possibly had informants.

He said: “In my estimation, it is one killing, too many. We’re here to ensure that we address such. From here I’m going to see my commanders, we are going to change our strategies to look inwards and see how we can address such. we cannot do it alone without the community.

“There may be issues of trust and that we are going to address. For us, we want this to be the last that would happen.

“We need everybody to be part of it, we understand that even before now, we used to have even within us, people that used to compromise and give out information.”

The CDS further promised to visit Nasarawa and Benue states based on the porous border.

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“ I want to assure Nigerians, the whole Benue State and all over the country that we are determined, based on the mandate of Mr President, to restore peace and tranquility within the country.”

We’ll stand by you, IGP tells Governor Alia.

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun on Monday visited the state to commiserate with the people of the state over the merciless killing of innocent people in Yelwata, Benue State.

During his visit, Egbetokun promised the people of the state of more deployment of men to tackle the rising insecurity in the state.

According to the IGP: “On behalf of the  Nigerian Police Force, I extend our deepest condolences to your Excellency, your government and the people of Benue State and the bereaved families and all citizens that have been affected by these attacks.

“These mindless acts of terror are not just attacks on Benue people but they are attacks on the sovereignty and integrity of Nation. An attack on any community in Nigeria is an attack on the entire nation.

“I want to assure you that the Nigerian Police Force will stand with you and the entire people of Benue state on this. We are going to work closely with you and in close synergy with other security agencies to ensure that lasting peace return to Benue State.

In his response, the state governor, Hyacinth Alia, described the attack as senseless one without provocation.

He said, “There was no cause for such bloodbath but it happened. We appreciate you and the entire service for before now responding to us appropriately with all the support in our fight of insurgencies in the state.

“We are bleeding, we are in sorrow. I believe your visit is going to uplift our spirits and build within us formidable assurance of the fact that we are not alone but that you will be there for us.”

Governor Alia further said that when he came to office, through hard efforts, he trimmed down the spate of attacks from 17 LGs which were in frontline of attack to nine Local Governments and later to six.

Benue massacre: More outrage during defence chief, IGP visits

Some Igbos shedding tears for Plateau, Benue victims kept mute during S’East killings – Joe Igbokwe

APC chieftain, Joe Igbokwe, has accused Nigerians from the South East of being hypocritical in their demand for justice for people being killed in Plateau, Jos and other parts of the country.

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In a post shared on Facebook, Igbokwe said that since 2015 to date, Igbos have been killing other Igbos in Igboland, but that people from the South East region would rather cry for victims in other regions instead of victims in their own region.

Some Igbos shedding tears for Plateau, Benue victims kept mute during S’East killings – Joe Igbokwe