A 36-year-old man, Laminu Ahmed, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the rape of a 7-year-old girl by a Federal High Court in Abuja.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), successfully prosecuted the case, leading to the conviction of Ahmed on Thursday.
In a statement made available to newsmen on Friday by the special adviser to the President on Communication and Publicity,
Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Kamarudeen Ogundele, Justice Modupe Osho-Adebiyi of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court 14 delivered the judgment, highlighting the prosecutor’s effective presentation of evidence.
According to the statement, the horrific incident occurred when Ahmed lured the young girl to a public bathroom under false pretences, where he sexually assaulted and raped her, threatening her into silence.
“The convict had on 3rd January 2023 asked the victim (name withheld) to bring him a plate of food from the food her mother was selling at the Zuba Fruit Market, Abuja and lured her to follow him with the food to a public bathroom in the market.
“He locked the door as soon as she entered and proceeded to sexually abuse and rape her by forcefully kissing her, inserting his fore finger into her vagina and then penis and raped her.
“He clamped his hands over her mouth when she attempted to scream and threatened to kill her if she ever told anyone. Nevertheless, the little girl was brave enough to tell her mother about the rape on her return.
“The mother had gone out to attend a friend’s naming ceremony when the incident occurred. She and the father had immediately reported the matter to the local vigilante who arrested the defendant and handed him over to the Police. The defendant confessed to the crime at the Police Station in Zuba and at the FCT Command where the matter was later transferred.”
Despite Ahmed’s denial and attempts to retract his confession, the prosecution’s evidence, including witness testimonies and medical reports, proved his guilt beyond doubt.
Yewande Awopetu, representing the AGF, emphasised the significance of the verdict in combating sexual violence and ensuring justice for survivors.
“It is also a warning to would be perpetrators that the long arm of the law will definitely catch up with them. A key lesson for parents in this case is never to leave their kids untended in a public place. “Laminu Ahmed’s name will be included in the Sexual Offender’s Register as is required by law,” she said.
