A 45-year-old man, Paul Ndedigwe, has been sentenced to double life imprisonment for the defilement of two minors.
According to the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, the incident took place on November 19, 2021, when Paul lured his neighbours’ six- and seven-year-old daughters into his rented apartment and sexually molested them.
On February 14, 2023, he was arraigned in court where he pleaded not guilty to the three charges of defilement of minors. However, during the trial, the victims were asked to testify, and each of them narrated how he lured them into the room and raped them on his bed.
In the ruling held on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, following a thorough review of the evidence presented by the prosecution led by Olufunke Adegoke and A.P. Bolanle, the presiding judge, Justice Abiola Sholadoye, found the defendant guilty on two of the three-counts of defilement and unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, contravening Section 137 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015.
Justice Abiola Sholadoye stated, “The evidence of prosecution witnesses was corroborated, truthful, and unshaken.
“The defendant is hereby found guilty on count one and sentenced to life imprisonment. He is also found guilty on count two and sentenced to life imprisonment. Both sentences will run concurrently.”
She further described the defendant as “a rough, crude, greedy, paedophile, and a destiny destroyer for corrupting the morals of the young girls.”
She also emphasized the need for the severe punishment of such acts to serve as a deterrence to other potential offenders.
At the end of the trial, Mr. Paul Ndedigwe was promptly taken to the Ikoyi correctional center to begin his sentence.
In response to the ruling, the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency on its X handle reiterated the state’s zero-tolerance for sexual abuse and domestic violence offenses.
The agency further urged Lagosians to report such cases by calling its toll-free line at 08000 333 333.
