A 40-year-old worker named Peter Jude was given a two-year prison sentence by a magistrates court in Akure, Ondo state, for sexually abusing a two-year-old girl.
Additionally, the inmate was condemned to be flogged for two days by the court.
According to reports, Jude, 40, committed the crime on July 14, 2024, at the Dele Ojo Camp in Uso, in the state’s Owo Local Government Area.
He had already let loose some semen over her vagina when he was discovered lying on top of the toddler.
Jude asked the court for forgiveness, pleading guilty to the single offence of indecent sexual assault and attributed his conduct to the devil.
The prosecution, Martins Olowofeso, told the court that Jude was hired as a labourer by the victim’s father to work on his farm.
He claimed the offence violated Section 3(1) of the Ondo State Violence Against Persons (Prohibitions) Law 2021.
“The mother of the victim detected that there was fluid of semen on her baby’s vagina when he met the defendant on top of her,” the prosecutor said.
“The defendant was living with the victim’s father. He carried the baby to the room when she was asleep. He pulled down his shorts and tried to penetrate the vagina of the baby. But in the process discharged her.
“When arrested, the defendant was transferred to the Gender-Based Unit of the State Criminal Investigative Department (SCID), for thorough investigation where he was charged and cautioned.
“The baby was, thereafter, taken to the State Reference Hospital for medical check-up, where a report was issued and she was subsequently charged.”
Mrs. B.A. Alphonso, the presiding magistrate, found the accused guilty and sentenced him to two years in jail and hard work.
“Taking the prevalence of the offence, the court has to set an example to serve as a deterrent to others,” Mrs Alphonso said.
“The defendant is hereby, sentenced to two calendar years with hard labour and he should be whipped for two days.”
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli
