By Peter Omopo
Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court has sentenced a man, Victor Dickson, to life imprisonment for defiling a six-month-old baby.
The conviction was confirmed in a statement issued by the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency on Wednesday, noting that the judgment was delivered earlier in the week. The agency also disclosed that the convict’s name would be entered into the state’s Sex Offenders Register in accordance with existing laws.
According to the statement, the court held that the prosecution proved the charge of sexual assault by penetration beyond a reasonable doubt. Justice Oshodi ruled that the circumstantial evidence presented during the trial was compelling and clearly established the guilt of the accused, adding that his attempts to deny involvement were unconvincing.
The court heard that the incident occurred when the child’s mother briefly left the baby unattended while carrying out domestic chores. During that time, the convict allegedly took the infant into his room and committed the offence.
In his ruling, Justice Oshodi described the act as “animalistic” and condemned the breach of trust, noting that the victim was extremely vulnerable and unable to call for help. He emphasised the need for strict punishment to protect society and deter similar crimes.
The offence contravenes provisions of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015, under which the life sentence was imposed.
The Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency reiterated its commitment to combating sexual and gender-based violence, stressing the importance of justice for victims and accountability for offenders.
