Court sentences man to life imprisonment for defiling 11-year-old girl

Stephen Francis is to spend the rest of his life in prison for defiling an 11 year-old- girl.

This is the pronouncement of an Ikeja Sexual offences and Domestic Violence Court on Wednesday.

Justice Abiola Soladoye agreed with the prosecutor that the convict defiled the minor in his room.

According to the presiding judge, the overwhelming narrative of the prosecution witnesses, the two exhibits tendered at Olosan Police Station and at the state CIID Panti, made by the convict voluntarily admitted his guilt.

The judge relies on the consistent confessional statements of the convict, the survivor and her mother.

“The defendant should have his name registered in the sexual offence register as maintained by Lagos State,” she said.

The prosecution team counsel, Mr. Olusola Shoneye, Mrs.Olufunke Adegoke and Ms. Abimbola Abolade called two witnesses while the convict testified as the sole witness for defence.

The prosecution submitted that the offence contravened Section 137 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

The judge also advised parents and guardian to be alive to their responsibility

The judge further held that slight penetration amount to sexual intercourse and denial by the defendant was an afterthought.

The offence was committed on August 12, 2020 on Fagbenro Street, Idi-Araba, Mushin in Lagos