Lagos Man Gets Life Sentence for Raping His Girlfriend

Patrick OdeyJune 21, 2023

6 minutes read

S€‎xual assault is a serious crime that violates the dignity and rights of the victims. It can have lasting physical, psychological, and social consequences for both the survivors and their families. In Nigeria, s€‎xual assault cases are often underreported, poorly investigated, and rarely prosecuted. However, some recent court judgments have shown that justice can be served for the survivors of s€‎xual violence.

One such case is that of Eniola Wasiu Ibrahim, who was sentenced to life imprisonment by Justice Rahmon Oshodi of a Lagos Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court, Ikeja, on December 1, 2021. Ibrahim was convicted of raping his girlfriend without her consent at his residence on June 6, 2021.

The prosecution presented four witnesses, including the survivor and her supervisor, who testified before the court. The survivor narrated how Ibrahim invited her to his house on a Sunday afternoon and locked the door behind her.

He then carried her to his bedroom and forced himself on her, while taking nude pictures of her. She said she tried to resist him and broke a glass with her leg, but he threatened her with a cutlass and continued to abuse her.

The survivor said she was able to escape when Ibrahim’s landlord called him on the phone and said he would report the incident to the police. She said Ibrahim’s friend came to his house and begged her not to be angry. She said she reported the matter to her supervisor, who took her to a hospital and a police station.

“When I got to his house, we entered inside, a room and a parlour apartment. So, I sat in the parlour, and he told me that he was happy that I came to his house. He asked me what I wanted to eat and I told him I had eaten at home and that I was okay.

“I informed the defendant that I did not want to stay long. He said that he likes my hair and also me. He asked me where I came from, and my age. He then asked me about my genotype. I responded that I don’t know.

“He said at this age I am supposed to know my genotype. Thereafter he hugged me and was romancing me. So, I told him I want to go and he said that I could not go, that I have not stayed long. After that, he went and locked the door.

“He then carried me from the parlour to the room, and unto the bed. He now forced my trouser open, and he slept with me and he took several photographs of me while naked. He forcefully had s€‎x with me, and I was shouting and struggling.”

The survivor further told the court that she used her leg to hit a glass and the glass got broken. “He then left me, and my wristwatch was broken. When he stood up, he started abusing me that I will pay for everything I damaged in his house before I leave his room,” she said.

She said that the defendant brought out cutlass to threaten her when she was crying and shouting.

“I was now begging him that he should not use the cutlass on me. So, he gave me my clothes to wear, and he said he would call his friend to come before his landlord called him on the phone and said he would report what happened in his room to the police.

“He went out of the room to meet the landlord. The landlord said that he was hearing noise coming out of his room, and the defendant said nothing happened. Then his friend came to his house. He now explained to his friend everything that happened. The friend now begged me that I should not be angry,” she said.

Ibrahim denied raping his girlfriend and claimed that they only had romance and flirtation. However, the court rejected his defense and found him guilty as charged by the Lagos State government.

The court relied on the testimony of the survivor, the medical report, and the evidence of the landlord, who confirmed hearing noises from Ibrahim’s room.

Justice Oshodi said he considered all the materials and submissions of the counsel in the case. He said he also took into account Ibrahim’s plea for mercy and his claim that he loved the survivor.

However, he said he was convinced beyond reasonable doubt that Ibrahim committed the offence of sexual assault by penetration, which carries a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment under section 260 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The judge said he hoped that his judgment would serve as a deterrent to other potential offenders and a message to survivors that they can seek justice in the courts. He also commended the Lagos State government for its efforts to combat sexual violence and protect the rights of survivors.

S€‎xual assault is not only a crime against individuals, but also a threat to public health and safety.

It requires collective action from all stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organizations, media outlets, religious leaders, traditional rulers, community members, and survivors themselves.

“I have listened to your counsel’s submission that I should have mercy on you. I have also considered the prosecution’s request that I must sentence you by section 260 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State (supra).

“You must not hurt people that you love. The evidence, in this case, demonstrates that you did not just abuse the victim s€‎xually, but you did it in a ferocious and animalistic way. You hit her on the face, which made it swollen. She had bloody eyes and swollen lips. You pinned her neck to your bed and assaulted her sexually.

“A man like you, who has committed s€‎xual violence against a woman, should be ashamed and must be punished.

“I must add that a woman or a girl who is a victim of s€‎xual violence has committed no crime; she need not be ashamed. In this case, the victim was not ashamed. She persisted in her quest for justice.

“She gave damning evidence against you, which led to your conviction. Our laws in Lagos State have zero tolerance for s€‎xual crimes. The offence of rape, for which you have been convicted, carries a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment, which sends a signal that it is unacceptable!

“In your case, I do consider the seriousness of the offence to justify a life sentence, and that is the sentence I must, therefore, impose upon you.

“Accordingly, I sentence you, Mr. Eniola Wasiu Ibrahim to life imprisonment,” the court held.

The court further ordered that his name be registered as a s€‎x offender in Lagos State S€‎xual Offenders register.

The Reaction of the Survivor and the Public

The survivor, who was present in court during the sentencing, expressed her relief and gratitude for the judgment. She said she was happy that the court believed her and gave her justice. She said she hoped that her case would encourage other survivors of sexual assault to speak out and seek help.

She also thanked her supervisor, who supported her throughout the ordeal and took her to a hospital and a police station after the incident. She said she was undergoing counseling and therapy to cope with the trauma and stigma of the rape.

The judgment of the court also elicited reactions from the public, especially on social media platforms. Many people commended the judge for his courage and fairness in delivering the verdict. They also praised the survivor for her bravery and resilience in pursuing the case.

Some people also criticized the defendant for his heinous act and his lack of remorse. They said he deserved his punishment and should not be given any chance of parole or pardon. They also called on the authorities to ensure that he serves his full sentence without any compromise.

However, some people also expressed sympathy for the defendant and his family. They said he was a young man who made a mistake and should be given a second chance. They also questioned the credibility of the survivor and her motive for accusing him of rape. They said there might have been a misunderstanding or a miscommunication between them.

Some people also blamed the survivor for going to his house alone and dressing provocatively. They said she should have been more careful and respectful of herself and her boyfriend. They said she might have provoked him or consented to the s€‎x and later changed her mind.

These divergent views reflect the different perspectives and attitudes that people have towards sexual assault in Nigeria. They also show the need for more awareness, education, and sensitization on the issue of s€‎xual violence and its prevention.