A 20-year old man, Seun Olarewaju, has escaped life imprisonment after he was sentenced to 30 months imprisonment for defiling a neighbour’s 3-year old girl in Ekiti State.

The judgment was delivered by the High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.
Seun was arrested and arraigned before Justice Adeniyi Familoni on 6th June, 2022, on one count charge of rape, which attracts life imprisonment.

Part of the charges stated: That you Seun Olarewaju, on August 6, 2021, at Ado Ekiti within the jurisdiction of the Court did rape a three-year old girl, contrary to Section 31(1) of the Child Right Law, Cap C7, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012″.

During the trial, the victim’s mother said, “I was not around, I did not know what happened until the following day when I was bathing my daughter, she did not allow me to wash her private part*.

“When I checked, I saw it was red and swollen. I was so scared. When I asked what happened to her bom bom, she repeatedly said, it was Seun.”

“I reported the matter to the Police and they later took over the matter.”

The prosecutor, Kunle-Shina Adeyemo, called three witnesses to prove the matter and tendered the defendant’s statement, pictures of the victim and defendant, and medical report among others as exhibits.

The defendant’s counsel, Luke Ekene called four witnesses and prayed the Court to temper justice with mercy.

While delivering judgement, the Presiding Judge, Justice Familoni said, “I believe the defendant as a young person deserves a second chance to redeem himself and be a good citizen. He cannot do that if I sentence him to life imprisonment”.

“Therefore, I am inclined to temper Justice with mercy to afford him an opportunity of redemption.”

The Court therefore, sentenced him to 30 months imprisonment.