Man bags life imprisonment for raping neighbour’s 9-year-old daughter

The Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court sitting in the Ikeja area of Lagos State has sentenced a 44-year-old man, Oto Edet, to life imprisonment for defiling his neighbour’s nine-year-old daughter (name withheld).

The presiding judge, Justice Abiola Soladoye, on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, held that the prosecution proved the one-count charge of defilement against Edet beyond reasonable doubt.

Justice Soladoye described Edet as a pathological liar and a disgraceful neighbour, adding that he should be ashamed of his hideous act.

The judge said the convict exhibited unwholesome conduct by descending so low to have unlawful sexual intercourse with his neighbour’s daughter.

She said: “He is a disgraceful neighbour who was caught with his boxer shorts down with his neighbour’s daughter.

“The survivor gave clear and compelling testimony before this court, recounting how the defendant had unlawful sexual intercourse with her on numerous occasions.

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“She stated in her evidence, ‘He has put his penis in my bumbum before, and that was when his wife gave birth.’

“She explained that she had been sent to sweep the compound but failed to return after a while.

“Her mother began searching for her, and upon noticing her slippers outside the defendant’s door, she knocked and eventually found the survivor naked behind his door.”

Justice Soladoye, therefore, convicted and sentenced Edet to life imprisonment.

Justice Soladoye also ordered that the convict’s name be entered into the Lagos State Sexual Offenders Register.

She also advised parents and guardians to be more vigilant in raising and monitoring their children.

The judge also called on stakeholders in the justice sector to continuously promote the message of zero tolerance for sexual abuse.

The Star