A High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti Division, Ekiti State, sentenced Sunday Asere, a 24-year-old man, to 14 years in prison for sexually assaulting a six-year-old girl. Asere was arraigned on March 22, 2022, on a single charge of rape.
According to The PUNCH, the charge stated, “The defendant sometime in January 2020 at Moferere in Ado Ekiti, did rape a six-year-old girl. The offence is contrary to Section 31(2) of the Child Rights Law, Cap. C7, Laws of Ekiti State of Nigeria, 2012.”
The victim, a primary one pupil at the time, testified that Asere, who lived nearby, frequently fondled her private parts when her mother was not around.
Despite the pain she felt, she hesitated to inform her mother due to her mother’s harsh demeanor.
She confided in her father during his visit to her school on January 14, 2020, after another incident of abuse. Her father subsequently reported the matter to the police.
Prosecutor Kunle-Shina Adeyemo presented six witnesses and submitted the defendant’s statements and a medical report as evidence.
Asere, represented by counsel Adedayo Adewumi, did not call any witnesses in his defense.
Justice Adekunle Adeleye, in his judgment, noted that medical examination findings indicated likely sexual abuse but found no evidence of vaginal penetration.
Adeleye concluded that the prosecution successfully established the case of sexual assault against the defendant.
“The defendant is liable for imprisonment for a term of 14 years. Accordingly, the defendant is hereby sentenced to imprisonment for 14 years,” the judge declared.
