An Ondo State High Court sitting in Akure, has sentenced a 37-year-old farmer, Joseph Agbomu, to life imprisonment for defiling his neighbour's six-year-old daughter.
Agbomu was arrested by men of the state police command after committing the act in Ijebu-Owo, Owo Local Government Area of the state on September 12, 2018, at about 7:30pm.
He was later charged to court in March 2019.
The convict, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The prosecutor said the offence committed contravened Sections 375, 378 of the Ondo State Criminal Code, 2006.
In his judgment, Justice Yemi Fasanmi held that the prosecution proved the case of rape against the convict beyond a reasonable doubt.
The court also held that the testimony of the victim was convincing and truthful.
The judge said the convict, in his extra-judicial statement obtained on December 12, 2019, confessed to the commission of the crime, that he had carnal knowledge of the victim in his room without using a condom after taking a herbal alcoholic drink.
According to the court, the victim's testimony is corroborated by the convict's confessional statement that he had unlawful sexual intercourse with her.
Justice Fasanmi highlighted the severe, emotional, and psychological trauma inflicted upon the victim, who had regarded Agbomu as a paternal figure due to their connections as kinsmen.
The judge added that the victim's trust was shattered by the abhorrent actions of the perpetrators, leaving a lasting impact on her wellbeing.
The court's ruling acknowledged the gravity of the offense committed by Agbomu, recognizing the irreversible harm caused to the young girl and the need for justice to be served.
"The defendant (Agbomu) is hereby sentenced to life imprisonment for the defilement of a child to serve as a deterrent to others who might engage in an such act," the court ruled.
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