Justice Abiola Soladoye of the Lagos Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court has sentenced a 30-year-old potato seller, James Adejo Samuel, to life imprisonment for sexually assaulting a six-year-old girl in Lekki Phase 1. The court found Samuel guilty on a two-count charge of defilement and sexual assault brought against him by the Lagos State Government.
Details of the Offence
According to the prosecution, the offences were committed in September 2023 when the convict unlawfully had sexual intercourse with the minor. Prosecutors also alleged that he sexually penetrated the child’s anus, contrary to the provisions of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015. During the trial, the survivor’s mother testified that she discovered injuries on her daughter after returning from the market with the child’s sister. The girl later disclosed that Samuel had repeatedly assaulted her behind a generator in their compound. The matter was reported at the Nigeria Police Force, leading to the defendant’s arrest.
Arraignment and Trial
Samuel was first arraigned on October 7, 2024, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges. He was re-arraigned on March 2, 2026, following an amended two-count charge of defilement and sexual assault by penetration, to which he also pleaded not guilty. In her judgment, Justice Soladoye held that the testimony of the prosecution witness was credible and corroborated by another witness. The judge stated that the prosecution successfully proved the ingredients of the offences beyond reasonable doubt. She noted that a minor could not legally consent to sexual intercourse, adding that any purported consent was invalid under the law.
Sentence and Orders
Justice Soladoye convicted and sentenced the defendant to life imprisonment on counts one and two respectively. The judge ordered that the sentences shall run concurrently and that the name of the defendant be registered in the sexual offence register maintained by the Lagos State. The court’s decision underscores the seriousness of sexual offences against minors and the commitment of the judiciary to protect children from such heinous acts.
