Admin l Monday, May 16, 2022
IKEJA, Lagos, Nigeria – A Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Court, sitting in Ikeja, today discharged and acquitted a man, Sunday Akpan, accused of committing incest by defiling his 10-year-old step-daughter.
Justice Abiola Soladoye, held that the prosecution did not call the vital witness (survivor) that was alleged to have been defiled to testify against her father.
“The essential element of defilement were not put in place as the prosecution did not call the vital witness who is the victim alleged to have been defiled. It is the duty of the prosecution to call admissible witnesses against the defendant.
“Ample opportunities were given to the prosecution to bring more witnesses to court but all to no avail. The court can not wait forever.
“The court is only interested in the testimony of quality witnesses. I wish to say that the case has been a colossal waste of time. The defendant is hereby discharged and found not committing the crime”, Justice Sholadoye said.
The Prosecution, made up of Mr Olusola Shoneye, Mrs Olufunke Adegoke and Ms Abimbola Abolade, alleged that the father defiled his 10 year old daughter on Dec. 8 2018 at 2 p.m. in Thomas Estate in Ajah, contrary to the provisions of Section 137 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
