An Ikeja Domestic Violence and Sexual Offenses Court have sentenced a man, Michake Ogbar, to life imprisonment for defiling and raping his three daughters aged 10 years, 20 years and 24 years.
Justice Abiola Soladoye held that the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt, the charge of defilement and rape brought against Ogbar.
“Evidence before the court shows that the prosecution has proved the case of defilement and rape before this court.
“The defendant, who is the father of the three daughters, is found guilty as charged, as the burden of proof has been discharged.
“This is a very sad case,” she held.
The judge said it was disheartening that the man defiled and raped his daughters for years in the absence of his wife.
“It is a disgrace to parenthood.
“The defendant ravished his own daughters in turn, committing incest. It is rather shameful and more perverted.
“The defendant is hereby found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment on count one.
“On count two, he is sentenced to life imprisonment and on count three, he is also sentenced to life imprisonment,” the judge held.
Soladoye said that the sentence would run concurrently, and ordered that the convict should have his name written in the Lagos State Sexual Offenders Register.
The Lagos State Government, which brought the charge, presented six witnesses during the trial.
It stated that the offences violated Sections 137 and 258(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Manwhile, the African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) has applauded the conviction of Nollywood actor Olanrewaju James (alias Baba Ijesha) for child defilement, saying it raised hopes of the common man in the judiciary.
The President of AWLA, Mrs Mandy Asagba, made the commendation on Thursday in Lagos.
Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of an Ikeja Special Offences Court on Thursday sentenced Baba Ijesha to 16 years’ imprisonment for defiling a 14-year-old.
In a two-hour judgment, Taiwo held that prosecution successfully proved the charge of sexual assault of a minor and indecent treatment of a minor against the convict.
Reacting, Asagba said that Baba Ijesha’s conviction showed that there was light at the end of the tunnel in the fight against defilement and rape.
“Kudos to Lagos State Judiciary for the judgment. We are very proud, because to get a witness to testify is always a problem.
“The rate of sexual assault in Nigeria is very alarming and if we have witnesses to testify, it makes the work easier.
“We appreciate the state directorate of public prosecutions for a job well done.
“The sentencing of the actor will encourage more people to speak up because a lot of women and girls who are passing through this trauma are scared to speak up due to stigma and fear of not getting justice,” she said.
She described the judgment as good news for women, every Nigerian child and the entire humanity.
“This shows justice for women, because we live in a society where our girls are used as sex objects,” she said.
According to her, offenders must understand that rule of law is practisable in Nigeria.
Convicting the actor, the judge said: “The defendant took his acting too far, the defendant abused friendship.
“The behaviour of the defendant is appalling, this shows the lengths people can go on exhibiting the animalistic urge in them.
“However, the court is not distracted.”
