For defiling his own 15 year old daughter, a 42-year-old father, Ekpo Lawrence will have to spend the rest of his life in prison. This was the verdict of an an Ikeja Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Court on Thursday.
Justice Abiola Soladoye the trial judge was so appalled at the conduct of the convict that she gave him no option of fine. “A father should be a trusted person in the life of a child. He is supposed to keep his child safe but this one betrayed her sexually. He ripped purity off her body and her soul. This is a taboo and he must no doubt face the music for his morbid, sordid sexual misconduct. For the above stated reasons, the defendant is sentenced to life imprisonment with no option of fine”.
Justice Soladoye praised the diligence of the prosecution team for “diligently proving the the ingredients of the charge of defilement that was proffered against Ekpo by the Lagos Government. “The evidence adduced by the prosecution has been consistent while that of the defendant has been inconsistent and manifestly unreliable”, she said.
Justice Soladoye in the judgment noted that Lawrence’s denial of the allegations is a calculated attempt to mislead the court. “The inglorious conduct of this defendant is dirty, scandalous and unpardonable under Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015 and condemnable in all ramifications.
“The immoral behaviour of having sex with his own biological daughter is toxic, absolutely disgraceful and an abomination contrary to the law of nature. It is morally reprehensible as it is incest. Where is the self respect of this defendant? How absolutely bizarre. Having sex with his daughter obviously took away his ability to make rational decisions. He foolishly tampered with the purity and self esteem of his child;
“I pray for inner peace for the victim to relieve her of fear and hatred for her father who sexually molested her severally so that she can deal with her pains, trials and tribulations and go on to live a purpose driven life”.
The judge directed that the convict’s name should be listed in the Sex Offenders Register as maintained by the Lagos State Government,” he said.
According to prosecution led by Mrs Bola Akinsete, Lawrence committed the offence between December 2018 and June 2019 at his home at Agege, Lagos.
He was 39-years-old when the offence was committed. “He defiled his 15-year-old daughter by having unlawful sexual intercourse with her,” he said.
During the trial, four witnesses; the survivor, a medical doctor, a social worker and police officer testified for the prosecution while Lawrence testified solely in his defence.
The survivor who was 17-years-old when she gave her evidence in court said that her father had on numerous occasions defiled her whenever her stepmother travels.
She said the incest came to light when the she confided in a social worker in her school about her father’s actions.
Dr Maria Fadaka of the Mirabel Center (a Sexual Assault Referral Center) in her evidence, said that after examining the survivor, her findings had revealed evidence of vaginal penetration and early pregnancy.
Lawrence in his defence had denied having sexual intercourse with his child claiming he was at work when the defilements allegedly took place.
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