On Wednesday, March 15, a Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court in Ikeja, Lagos state, sentenced Stephen Francis to life imprisonment for defiling an 11-year-old primary school pupil in his room. According to reports, Francis lured the minor to his room by pretending that his wife was calling her, and then proceeded to have unlawful sexual intercourse with her. The survivor reported the incident to her mother, who then reported it to the police station.
During the trial, the prosecution team successfully proved the three essential ingredients of defilement against Francis. Justice Abiola Soladoye, who presided over the case, declared that Francis’ confessional statements were consistent with the survivor’s and her mother’s evidence given before the court. The judge also ruled that slight penetration amounted to sexual intercourse and dismissed the defendant’s denial as an afterthought.
As a result, Francis was found guilty of one count of defilement and sentenced to life imprisonment. Additionally, the judge ordered that his name be registered in the sexual offense register maintained by Lagos State.
