An Ikeja Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Court on Wednesday January 19, sentenced a 38-year-old businessman, Ofure Siakpere to life imprisonment for defiling and impregnating his 14-year-old in-law.
Lead State Prosecutor, Funke Adegoke revealed that Siakpere who was 35 at the time of the incident, committed the offence on or about March 2018 at his residence located at No. 10, Salaudeen Imam Street, Lagos.
The victim and a medical doctor, Dr Aniekan Makanjuola, from Women at Risk International Foundation were called in as witnesses during the trial.
The minor recalled being overpowered and defiled at least 15 times by Siakpere who is married to her aunt.
Though the convict and his wife countered the claim, Justice Abiola Soladoye ruled that the prosecution proved their case beyond any reasonable doubt and also brought in witnesses who gave “compelling and convincing” accounts.
Asides being sentenced to life imprisonment with no option of fine, the convict's name will also be registered in the Sex Offenders Register of Lagos state government.
Soladoye said;
“This is contrary to that of the defence which was rather shallow and full of fallacy. The evidence of the defence witnesses were merely self-serving.”
The judge admonished parents to stop sending their children to stay with relatives and advised that they should plan their families by giving birth to the number of children they can afford.
“The defendant maltreated the victim (his wife’s niece) by defiling her. The conduct of this so-called in-law is hurtful and demeaning. Where is the defendant’s humanity and moral compass?
“This case is a reflection of sexual lawlessness that occurs within the family circle.
“The defendant must be duly sanctioned in the hope that this will serve as a deterrent to others to not toe the line of sexual misconduct.
“The defendant Ofure Siakpere, is hereby sentenced to life imprisonment with no option of fine.
“His name shall also be registered in the Sex Offenders Register as maintained by the Lagos State Government.”
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