Korede Abdullah in Lagos
An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court has sentenced a Muslim cleric, Alani Rafiu, to life imprisonment for raping a 14-year-old girl inside a mosque.
Justice Rahman Oshodi handed down the sentence on Monday after finding Rafiu guilty of child defilement.
Rafiu was arraigned on October 28, 2021, for having sexual intercourse with the teenager.
The incident occurred on August 17, 2021, in the Ikotun area of Lagos State.
In his judgment, Justice Oshodi stated that the prosecution provided compelling evidence that the victim was below 18 years old at the time of the offence.
The judge emphasized that Rafiu’s actions were particularly egregious due to his abuse of religious authority and the sacred space of the mosque.
Justice Oshodi also ordered Rafiu to be registered as a sex offender in the Sex Offenders Register maintained by the Lagos State Government.
The prosecutrix maintained during cross-examination that this occurred three times, explicitly stating, “He had sex with me three times.”
The judge noted that the prosecutrix testimony remained consistent even when challenged about the timeframe, clarifying that these incidents occurred.
He said the medical evidence further strengthened the evidence of sexual intercourse. It reports that the transection found in the prosecutrix’s vagina was “consistent with forceful penetrative injury to anus and vagina”.
Before passing down the verdict, Oshodi said, “What makes your conduct particularly egregious is your abuse of religious authority and the sacred space of a mosque to perpetrate these violations.
“Places of worship should be sanctuaries of safety and spiritual growth, not venues for the exploitation of children.
“The medical evidence and the prosecutrix’s testimony paint a disturbing picture of the physical harm you caused.
The bleeding she experienced and your callous provision of a handkerchief to clean up the evidence of your abuse demonstrate a shocking disregard for her well-being.
“This court must protect children from sexual predators and send a clear message that such conduct will be met with the full force of the law.
“The sentence must reflect society’s abhorrence of child sexual abuse and serve as a deterrent to others who might contemplate similar crimes.
“Therefore, I now sentence you to life imprisonment by section 137 of the Criminal Law. Furthermore, under sections 33 and 38 of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency Law, 2021, I order that you be registered as a sex offender in the Sex Offenders Register maintained by the Lagos State Government,” he held.
