Susan Abayomi
A Lagos State Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court convicted and sentenced 32-year-old software engineer, Chukwudi Anyanwu, to life imprisonment.
The offence happened on May 27, 2021, which was Children’s Day, at Thomas Animashaun Street, Aguda, Surulere, Lagos State. The survivor was his neighbour’s 13-year-old daughter.
Justice Rahman Oshodi said the prosecution proved the case of defilement of a minor against Anyanwu. The judge held that the survivor’s evidence was corroborated by a medical report and the testimony of her guardian.
The court also noted how the crime was committed. Justice Oshodi said the convict exploited his position of familiarity and authority to lure the 13-year-old into his room on Children’s Day and subjected her to sexual abuse. The judge described it as inflicting “deep psychological wounds that might take a lifetime to heal.
During proceedings, the judge disregarded testimonies of two police officers called by the prosecution, saying they gave evidence for the defence instead. The court also rejected the convict’s claims of alibi and extortion. Justice Oshodi said Anyanwu showed “a troubling lack of integrity and remorse” and initially denied the act when confronted by the victim’s guardian.
This case adds to other recent life sentences for child rape across Nigeria. For example, a Family Court in Calabar, Cross River State, also sentenced a 27-year-old man to life for raping a 13-year-old girl and ordered N1 million compensation. In another Cross River case, a 46-year-old man got life for raping his daughter, with the judge citing betrayal of trust.
Courts have been emphasizing that sexual intercourse with anyone under 18 is rape and carries a life sentence under laws like the Cross River State Child Rights Act.
