By; RAYMOND TEDUNJAYE, Lagos
A Lagos Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Court has sentenced a 38-year old businessman to a life imprisonment for defiling and Impregnating his 14-year- old in-law.
Identified as Ofure Siakpere, the businessman was convicted in a judgement delivered by Justice Abiola Soladoye on Wednesday.
The trial judge found Siakpere guilty of defilement contrary to Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.
According to Justice Soladoye, “the prosecution had proved every ingredient for the offence of defilement.
The evidence of the prosecution witnesses are compelling and convincing, the judge noted.
Continuing, “This is contrary to that of the defence which was rather shallow and full of falacy. The evidence of the defence witnesses were merely self serving.”
The judge advised parents to stop sending their children to stay with relatives stating that they should plan their families by giving birth to the number of children they can afford.
Justice Soladoye added “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 tow 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,” Justice Soladoye said.
Mrs. Funke Adegoke, the lead prosecution counsel said Siakpere committed the offence on or about March 2018 at his residence located at No. 10, Salaudeen Imam Street, Lagos.
Ofure Siakpere was 35 years old when the offence was committed.
The survivor and a medical doctor, Dr. Aniekan Makanjuola from Women at Risk International Foundation, WARIF, gave evidence on behalf of the prosecution during the trial.
The survivor testified that she was overpowered and defiled on at least 15 occasions by the convict while living with him and his wife who was her aunt.
She said that anytime she resisted his advances, he beats her up. The survivor said that she became pregnant as a result of the abuse.
As at the time she gave evidence in court, she had delivered a baby.
The convict and his wife, Mrs. Adebimpe Siakpere had also testified for the defence.
Siakpere in his testimony, denied the offence, describing it as false.
