Emmanuel Thomas l Tuesday, February 11, 2020
IKEJA, Lagos, Nigeria – Mother of six children, Mrs. Adepoju on Tuesday told a Sexual and Domestic Violent court how her three under-aged daughters were allegedly defiled by a Muslim Cleric (Alfa). She narrated her ordeal before the court presided over by Justice Sybil Nwaka.
Mrs Adepoju, who resides at 50, Bashua Street, Dopemu told the court that the defendant, Alfa Ibrahim Idris lived with her family for eight years before she got wind of the development that he was all these while defiling her three daughters.
She told the court that she used to leave her children in his care whenever she was not around based on trust but that she was surprised to learn that he was abusing her lovely daughters.
The defendant who had earlier pleaded not guilty to a three count charge bothering on rape and sexual defilement brought against him by the Lagos government was again arraigned for allegedly having canal knowledge of three sisters in their parent’s house where he lived.
Ibrahim committed the alleged offense sometimes in 2017 at No. 2, Kelani street off Adealu bus stop, Dopemu, Agage, contrary to section 137 of the Criminal law CapC17, Vol 3 law of Lagos State 2015.
Led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, A.O Alagbe, Mrs Adepoju who was visable shaken by the development said she got to know about the defilement when she was called by the headmistress of the first daughter’s school on 9th August 2017 that her daughter was saying things that she needed to hear.
“When I got to the school, I was told she ran out of the classroom when she saw a male teacher and when asked why, she narrated what she and her two sisters had been going through in the hand of the defendant. My daughter told me that Alfa Ibrahim has been having sex with her and her two sisters who were also minors.
Mrs Adepoju said her first daughter was 12-years old while her sisters were 9 and 7years respectively when the incident occured.
“The defendant and his brother came from Ilorin to live with us while they attended an Islamic school in Agege. By the time we got to know about the defilement, he had left our place but he come to spend the weekend with us. When I heard about the matter, I took my children home and waited for my husband that was out of town.He came back two days after and we invited the defendant but he denied the allegation.
“We reported the matter at the Police Station and he was arrested and statement was taken from him.The police later referred bus to Mirabel Center, LASUTH for examination and it was confirmed that my girls were defiled”, she said.
Under cross examined by the defendant’s counsel, she affirmed that the defendant was not the only male living in her house at the time of the incident. However, the prosecutor, told the court that the agrieved mother did not want to bring the childre to testify in court so as not to refresh their memories about incidents that took place years back.
The judge nevertheless ordered the mother to bring the survivors to court so that they can give evidence and adjourned the matter till Match 4, 2020 for continuation of trial.
Earlier, Doctor Adamu Oyejide in his testimony before the court said the survivors were referred to Mirable center for examination sometimes in August, 2017.
“ I saw the three sisters ( name withheld) and examined them. The first victim who was 12-years old verbally told me that the defendant pushed her on the floor and penetrated her vagina. Upon examination, it was discovered that her hymen has been broken. The second sister was also examined and in line with their verbal declaration, I came to the conclusion that there was repeated forceful penetration in the vagina.
“The 3rd survivor, who was aged 7-years then was also examined and my findings revealed that there was no hymen and there was evidence of penetration in her vagina”, he said.
Under cross examination, he said the clients were accompanied to the clinic by their parents. He further said the most senior victim remembered that the sexual assault started that same year 2017 but she could not say the exact day.
He however said medically, he can not tell the hour and the time when the defendant started abusing the children.
