Ondo court sentences man to14 years imprisonment for abusing his 7-year-old step-daughter

Friday, May 23, 2025 - An Ondo State High Court sitting in Akure, has sentenced a middle-aged man, Raphael Adanlawo, to 14 years imprisonment for r3ping his seven-year-old stepdaughter. 

The convict was, however, discharged and acquitted of the second charge of assault.

Justice Yemi Fasanmi handed down the judgment to Adanlawo after he found him guilty of r@ping the girl, who was seven years old at the time of the incident. 

The judge held that the prosecution was able to prove its case of r3pe against the convict and that all the evidence before the court corroborated that of the victim, but failed to establish the offence of indecent assault against the convict beyond a reasonable doubt. 

Fasanmi agreed with the prosecution’s case, holding that Adanlawo had s3xual intercourse with the victim in his house when her mother was not around after he sent her on an errand. 

"The prosecution proved the elements of the offence beyond a reasonable doubt,” Fasanmi held. 

The convict was arraigned on December 18, 2019 on two counts of rape and indecent assault. 

The prosecution counsel, O.C. Ologun, during the arraignment of the convict, had told the court that Adanlawo committed the crime on April 4, 2019, at about 10pm, at Adamama Quarters, Igbobini, Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State. Ologun alleged that Adanlawo forcefully had carnal knowledge of one 7-year-old girl (name withheld) and also indecently treated and assaulted her.

The offences, according to the charge contravened Sections 358 and 225 of the Criminal Code Law of Ondo State, 2016.

He pleaded not guilty to all charges. 

To prove his case, the prosecution called three witnesses and tendered documents such as the defendant’s statements, and doctor’s report, which were admitted as exhibits. 

While testifying in court, the victim’s mother recounted how Adanlawo had sent her daughter on an errand while she was away. 

Upon her return, she observed a change in her daughter’s walking style.

“When I got back from my trip, I noticed that my daughter was having difficulty walking. I gently forced her to speak, and she revealed what the defendant had done to her,” the victim's mother narrated. 

“My daughter told me that Adanlawo, who is my husband, pulled down her underwear, forcefully penetrated her and instructed her not to tell anyone about it.”

The defendant, speaking through his counsel, Abdulrahman Yusuf, gave evidence in his defence, but did not call any witness.

Delivering the judgement, Justice Fasanmi expressed satisfaction that the victim’s testimony that Adanlawo had s3xual intercourse with her was corroborated by medical reports and another exhibit before the court. 

“There is ample evidence before the court that the victim was forcefully penetrated by the convict," the judge held.

"The evidence is believable, unassailable and credible that the defendant took advantage of the vulnerable girl.

“The court found Adanlawo guilty of the first count (rape), but discharged and acquitted him of the second count of indecent assault.”

Fasanmi subsequently sentenced Adanlawo to 14 years imprisonment for the offence of r3pe.