Gang rape: Baker jailed 13 years for defiling 14-year-old girl

A 22-year-old Baker, Lawal Kamoru was sentenced to 13 years in prison by an Ikeja High court, Lagos for defiling a 14-year-old girl (name withheld).

Kamoru was found guilty and convicted on a one-count charge of defilement contrary to Section 137 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011.

The State prosecutor, Mrs O. R Ahmed Muili, said that the convict and three other boys (at large) gang-raped the 14-year-old girl inside an uncompleted building on February 1, 2014, at Oluwanisola street, Ilaje, Bariga Lagos.

According to the evidence before the court, the victim and her younger sister (name withheld) were on their way home from a night vigil (church) at 5.15am when they were accosted by four (4) boys who ordered them to kneel down.

The victim, earlier in testimony, told the court that four boys raped her inside an uncompleted building and that the convict was their leader.

She said, “I was returning from church with my younger sister at about 5am when the boys stopped us and ordered us to kneel down. But on sighting some people coming our direction, they immediately ordered us to get up and go”.

She said that when they stood up and walked away, the boys followed quietly and unnoticed.

“The boys followed behind while one of them flashed a torchlight. When we realized that the boys were still following us, we tried to run but they threatened to kill us.

“They told us to kneel down again and started beating us, then my sister started shouting. Then, one of boys stylishly chased my younger sister home while the remaining three boys forced me into an uncompleted building and raped me.

“I remember the defendant very well. He was the first to rape me and the one who actually tore my pant.

“Kamoru was the first person to remove his trouser and the other boys thereafter took turns, including the one that drove my sister away. He also came back and joined them.

“The boys left the torchlight on a window and that was how I was able to recognise their faces,” she said.

She further narrated that she didn’t know how she left the uncompleted building but woke up later to find herself in the hospital after spending two days on the sick bed.

“I spent two days at the hospital but kept going back for treatment when I regained consciousness.

“I have never had sexual intercourse with any man until she was molested and raped. My parents later reported the case at Bariga police station and I also went to make a statement,” the victim said.

However, Justice Raliat Adebiyi, while delivering judgement, took consideration of the convict’s age, the age and vulnerability of the victim.

Justice Adebiyi said that the age of the child and the psychological trauma experienced must be considered while sentencing of the defendant.

“The defendant is hereby sentenced to 13 years in prison custody. The period spent in custody before the determination of this case shall be considered in carrying out the sentencing,” the judge ruled.