A Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos state has sentenced a businessman, Ofure Siakpere to life imprisonment for defiling and impregnating his 14-year-old in-law (name withheld) in his care.

Justice Abiola Soladoye sentenced Siakpere after finding him guilty of a charge of defilement contrary to Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.

In her judgment, the judge said that the prosecution had proved every ingredient for the offence of defilement.

She described the prosecution witnesses as “compelling and convincing”.

“This is contrary to that of the defence which was rather shallow and full of falacy. The evidence of the defence witnesses were merely self serving,” she said.

The judge admonished parents to stop sending their children to stay with relatives and advised that they should always plan their families by giving birth to the number of children they can cater for.

“The defendant maltreated the victim (his wife’s niece) by defiling her. The conduct of this so called in-law is hurtful and demeaning. Where is the defendant’s humanity and moral compass?

“This case is a reflection of sexual lawlessness that occurs within the family circle.

“The defendant must be duly sanctioned in the hope that this will serve as a deterrent to others to not tow the line of sexual misconduct.

“The defendant Ofure Siakpere, is hereby sentenced to life imprisonment with no option of fine.

“His name shall also be registered in the Sex Offenders Register as maintained by the Lagos State Government,” she said.

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