A High Court sitting in Akure, Ondo State capital, on Friday sentenced a middle-aged man, Raphael Adanlawo, to 14 years imprisonment for raping his seven-year-old stepdaughter.
Adanlawo was arraigned on December 18, 2019, on two counts of rape and indecent assault.
The Prosecution Counsel, O.C. Ologun, told the court that Adanlawo committed the crime on April 4, 2019, at about 10 p.m., at Adamama Quarters, Igbobini, Ese-Odo Local Government Area of the state.
Ologun alleged that Adanlawo forcefully had carnal knowledge of a seven-year-old girl (name withheld) and also indecently treated and assaulted her.
According to him, the offense contravened Sections 358 and 225 of the Criminal Code Law of Ondo State, 2016. However, the accused pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Three witnesses were called, while documents, including the defendant’s statements and a doctor’s report, were tendered and admitted as exhibits.
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While testifying in court, the victim’s mother recounted how the convict sent her daughter on an errand while she was away but observed a change in her daughter’s behavior.
She explained that, “When I got back from my trip, I noticed that my daughter was having difficulty walking. I gently forced her to speak, and she revealed what the defendant had done to her.
“My daughter told me that Adanlawo, who is my husband, pulled down her underwear, forcefully penetrated her, and instructed her not to tell anyone about it.”
Delivering the judgment, Justice Yemi Fasanmi found the convict guilty of raping the seven-year-old girl and said the prosecution was able to prove its case of rape against the convict beyond a reasonable doubt.
Fasanmi agreed with the prosecution’s case, holding that the convict had sexual intercourse with the victim in his house when the mother was not around after he sent her on an errand, saying, “the prosecution proved the elements of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt.
“There is ample evidence before the court that the victim was forcefully penetrated by the convict. The evidence is believable, unassailable, and credible that the defendant took advantage of the vulnerable girl.
“The court found Adanlawo guilty of the first count (rape) but discharged and acquitted him of the second count of indecent assault.”
Fasanmi, however, sentenced the convict to 14 years imprisonment for the offense of rape.
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