On Tuesday, a school bus driver, Michael Mowete, was sentenced to life imprisonment for defiling a three-year-old girl.
The mother of the child became concerned when her daughter screamed in pain during a bath on the night the child accused her uncle of touching her bumbum and jumping on her.
Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court ruled that the prosecution had proven the charge of defilement beyond reasonable doubt.
During the trial, Mowete’s claim of an amorous relationship with the victim’s mother was dismissed by the court.
Testimony from the school bus assistant confirmed that Mowete was present on the bus when the minor was dropped off at her mother’s shop.
Despite her young age, the victim provided a clear account of the defilement.
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This was corroborated by her mother, who recounted that her daughter said, “mummy! mummy! uncle Michael touched my bumbum and jumped on me” after being dropped off on September 27, 2019.
The court also considered medical evidence indicating repeated blunt force penetration of the child’s vagina, and circumstantial evidence provided by the investigative police officer.
Justice Oshodi dismissed the defense’s argument that the child had been coached.
He noted that Mowete himself admitted being alone with the child on the day of the incident, which matched the mother’s testimony.
The judge further rejected Mowete’s claim of a relationship with the victim’s mother, stating that even if it were true, it would not negate the crime. Mowete’s call log evidence was deemed insufficient as no supporting evidence was presented.
The court’s judgment emphasized the severe impact of Mowete’s actions on the child, noting ongoing physical harm.
Mowete was sentenced under Section 137 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State (2015), and his name will be registered in the Lagos State Sexual Offences Register.
Justice Oshodi concluded, “Michael Mowete, this court has found you guilty of the charge of defilement.
You have defiled a child, barely three years of age, and you attempted to traumatize her family by fabricating that you had an amorous relationship with her mother.
The mother of the child told this court that urine comes out of her daughter’s vagina every 15 to 30 minutes, showing the extent of damage you have done.
You are hereby sentenced to life imprisonment and will serve your term in the Maximum Correctional Centre.”
The State Lead Counsel, Mr. Babajide Boye, presented four witnesses, while the defense also called four witnesses.
The prosecution established that the offence took place on September 27, 2019, on Okeho Street, Isolo, and Lukmon Street, Ago Okota, Lagos.
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