In a disturbing case of sexual assault, a 14-year-old girl, whose identity is being withheld, has contracted the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) after being raped by a man identified as Richard Saviour.The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency revealed that Richard Saviour has been handed a life imprisonment sentence by the Lagos High Court, Ikeja, presided over by Justice Oyindamola Ogala on Tuesday.
The victim, who is the niece of the perpetrator’s wife, tested positive for HIV when taken to the Mirabel Centre for examination, as stated by the agency’s official handle, @Lagosdsva, in a Wednesday statement. Subsequently, the girl was transferred to Mary’s Home Orphanage and received care with the assistance of Positive Action for Treatment Access, a Non-Governmental Organisation.
During the trial, the State Counsel, Ola Azeez, presented three witnesses to support the prosecution’s case, while the defendant testified in his defense. The judge, Justice Ogala, found the evidence provided by all prosecution witnesses to be corroborated and deemed it truthful.
In her ruling, Justice Ogala highlighted the heinous acts committed against the young girl, emphasizing the mental and physical abuse she endured. The judge commended the efforts of the school principal and the social worker for bringing relief to the survivor.
Reacting to the court’s judgment, Omolola Pedro, Head of the Gender Department at ‘Take It Back Movement,’ emphasized the importance of providing adequate support and care for the survivor. Pedro underscored the need for the implementation of existing laws to protect the rights of women and girls in Nigeria.
This comes on the heels of another conviction in the Special Offences and Domestic Violence Court, Ikeja. Ndedigwe Paul received a double life imprisonment sentence on January 30, 2024, for sexual assault of minors.
Justice Abiola Soladoye found him guilty on two counts of defilement and unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, contravening Section 137 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015.Credit: Punch News