By The Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court in Lagos, Nigeria, has sentenced 27-year-old cleaner Saviour Udoh to life imprisonment for the sexual assault of a five-year-old girl on church premises. The verdict, delivered by Justice Ramon Oshodi on Monday, underscores the severity of the crime and the court’s commitment to protecting vulnerable children.
On December 12, 2018, the court found Udoh, a cleaner at a prominent Pentecostal church in Ikeja, Lagos, guilty of sexually assaulting the child. The court heard that Udoh approached the sleeping child in the church’s children’s department and committed the heinous act.
Justice Oshodi, in his ruling, emphasized the gravity of the offense, stating, “The crime he has committed is a grave one as it involves sexual exploitation of a vulnerable child.” The judge highlighted the long-lasting physical and emotional trauma inflicted upon the victim, noting that she was still receiving medical treatment three years after the incident.
I.D. Solarin, the prosecution’s leader, successfully demonstrated that Udoh’s actions violated Section 261 of the Lagos State, 2015 Criminal Law. The evidence presented included Udoh’s confessional statement, testimony from the victim and her mother, statements from the investigating police officer, and medical evidence.
In his judgment, Justice Oshodi addressed the breach of trust, saying, “The victim, who was only five years old at the time of the incident, trusted you, and her mother entrusted her in your care. You breached that trust, most disgustingly, by sexually assaulting the child.”
While the court acknowledged Udoh’s plea for mercy and lack of previous convictions, Justice Oshodi concluded that the aggravating factors outweighed any mitigating circumstances. The judge sentenced Udoh to life imprisonment and ordered the registration of his name in the Lagos State Sexual Offences Register.
This case has reignited discussions about child safety, particularly in trusted environments like religious institutions. It serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and robust safeguarding measures to protect children from predators.
The life sentence handed down to Udoh sends a strong message about the seriousness with which the Nigerian justice system views crimes against children. It also underscores the significance of timely reporting and comprehensive investigation in such cases to guarantee the prosecution of perpetrators.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of this disturbing incident, there are calls for increased awareness about child sexual abuse and the implementation of stricter background checks for individuals working in close proximity to children.
