Apprentice receives life imprisonment for raping employer’s 9-year-old daughter

Apprentice receives life imprisonment for raping employer’s 9-year-old daughter

In a recent verdict, the Ikeja domestic violence and sexual offences court handed down a life imprisonment sentence to Godwin Ogboniya, an apprentice, after he was found guilty of sexually assaulting his employer’s nine-year-old daughter. The trial judge, Abiola Soladoye, emphasized that the prosecution had effectively substantiated the one-count charge against the defendant, leaving no room for reasonable doubt.

The defendant had been accused of multiple instances of sexual assault on the young girl, who identified him as the perpetrator. The judge described the defendant, who had lived with the survivor’s father for three years, as an “unkind and unworthy employee” who engaged in inappropriate sexual activities with the child during the parents’ absence.

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Soladoye noted, “The nine-year-old girl recognized the defendant in the dock as the man who sexually assaulted her on several occasions when her parents were not home.” She recounted the survivor’s testimony, which included disturbing details of the abuse.

The judge stated, “Upon careful review of the evidence presented in this court, including both oral and documentary evidence, the survivor’s testimony was compelling and supported by other prosecution witnesses. The investigative police officer who presented the medical report was thorough and diligent in her testimony.”

As part of the sentence, the defendant’s name will be added to the sexual offences register of the Lagos state government. This verdict underscores the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals from such heinous crimes and ensuring justice is served.