By Emmanuel Thomas l Monday, Oct. 12, 2026
IKEJA — A medical doctor and forensic examiner, Dr. Olatunji Olubukola, on Monday testified before an Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court that forensic examination of a 10-year-old girl revealed medical evidence consistent with vaginal penetration.
Dr. Olubukola, a specialist in sexual assault medical examinations, gave the evidence while testifying as a prosecution witness in the ongoing defilement trial of one Peter Okoh.
The defendant, Peter Okoh, is facing a one-count charge of defilement before Justice Rahman Oshodi.
Led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, O.O. Alebiosu, the expert witness detailed the procedure and findings of the forensic assessment conducted on the young victim (identity withheld to protect her privacy).
Dr. Olubukola informed the court that a clinical examination of the survivor’s genital region revealed an absent hymen and an easily visible vaginal opening. She explained that these physical indicators were consistent with previous vaginal penetration, leading to the clinical conclusion that the child had been sexually assaulted.
Dr. Olubukola, who works with the Family Medicine Department affiliated with the West African College of Physicians and the Mirabel Centre at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), emphasized the forensic rigor involved in evaluating survivors of sexual violence.
The defendant was represented in court by defense counsel V.C. Ezeuwu.
Following the submission of the expert witness’s testimony, Justice Oshodi adjourned the matter till December 14, 2026, for the continuation of trial and cross-examination.
Sexual gender-based violence (SGBV) and child abuse remain critical justice and public health challenges across Nigeria, with state governments intensifying legal frameworks to prosecute offenders. Under the Lagos State Criminal Law and the Protection Against Domestic Violence Law, defilement of a minor carries severe penalties upon conviction, including potential life imprisonment.
Specialized institutions such as the Mirabel Centre—Nigeria’s first Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), located within LASUTH, Ikeja—play a vital role in managing sexual assault cases.
Established to provide free medical, forensic, and psychological support to survivors, SARCs gather clinical evidence crucial for prosecution in court.
The establishment of dedicated Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Courts in Lagos State reflects an effort to expedite trials, improve conviction rates, and provide a legal environment tailored to sensitive cases involving vulnerable minors and victims of abuse.
