Lagos Shopkeeper Sentenced To Life Imprisonment For Defiling 8-Year-Old Neighbourr
An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court has sentenced 47-year-old Seydou Garuba, a shopkeeper, to life imprisonment for the defilement of his 8-year-old neighbour.
The ruling was delivered on Tuesday by Justice Rahman Oshodi, who stated that the prosecution successfully proved the charge of defilement against Garuba.
Justice Oshodi emphasized that the survivor’s testimony corroborated the evidence provided by her mother. He highlighted the severity of the crime, noting that life imprisonment is mandatory under the law.
“Seydou Garuba, you have been found guilty of defiling an eight-year-old girl. This is one of the most serious offences in the criminal law, and life imprisonment is mandatory for it. You abused your position as a trusted neighbourhood shopkeeper and sexually assaulted the victim. I hereby sentence you to life imprisonment, and your name shall be registered in the sex offenders’ register,” Oshodi stated.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), State Counsel Ms. Olufunmilayo Aluko presented three witnesses: the survivor, her cousin, and the investigative police officer. Garuba presented himself, his wife, and a neighbor as witnesses for the defense.
The prosecution argued that Garuba, who owned a provision store in front of his compound, used his position to lure the victim, a regular customer, into his shop. The survivor testified that she went to purchase a half-bag of sachet water when Garuba lured her inside and committed the crime.
The offense violates Section 137 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
