By Adadainfo
The Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court, Thursday, found one Sunday Nwokolo guilty of defiling a 12-year-old-girl. The court subsequently sentenced him to life in prison.
Justice Ramon Oshodi ruled that the prosecution proved the defilement case against the defendant beyond doubts.
According to Oshodi, “The prosecution referred to Section 137 of the Administration of the Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) which prescribes life imprisonment. I do not have discretion in this matter but to refer to you as a paedophile, a liar and a dangerous offender.
“I refer to you as a liar because despite the evidence, you lied against the police at Agboju Police Station and the gender section of the police force.
“You are a dangerous offender because the survivor said that when you defiled her, blood came out of her vagina and you took her to the bathroom to clean up, yet you said it was her menstrual flow.
“You are a dangerous offender because the victim suffered immensely in your hands and no other child should be made to suffer a similar fate. You are hereby found guilty and charged, and hereby sentenced to life imprisonment.”
Defence Counsel Mr Chris Mbajike earlier pleaded the court to temper justice with mercy.
Mbajike stated that, “My Lord, the defendant has shown remorse and he does not have any case with the police prior to this incident. We plead on his behalf that the court temper justice with mercy.”
Counsel to the state Ms Bukola Okeowo, however, urged the court to uphold section 137 of the ACJL and sentence the defendant accordingly.
She said, “The defendant has been found guilty. I urge the judge to sentence him according to section 137 of the criminal law of Lagos State.”
