Man bags 18 months for assaulting 5-year-old girl
A Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin has sentenced 22-year-old Ishaq AbdulRazaq to 18 months imprisonment for the sexual abuse of a five-year-old girl. Justice Oba Muritala Folorunsho delivered the judgment after finding the defendant guilty of the sexual exploitation of a minor, an offence contrary to Section 32(2) of the Child Rights Law […]
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A Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin has sentenced 22-year-old Ishaq AbdulRazaq to 18 months imprisonment for the sexual abuse of a five-year-old girl.
Justice Oba Muritala Folorunsho delivered the judgment after finding the defendant guilty of the sexual exploitation of a minor, an offence contrary to Section 32(2) of the Child Rights Law of Kwara State.
The court heard that the crime was committed on July 21, 2025, in the Gaa-Odota area of the Ilorin metropolis, where the defendant unlawfully assaulted the child.
Following a full trial and a careful evaluation of the evidence presented by the prosecution, the court held that the charges were proven beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted AbdulRazaq accordingly.
During the plea for leniency, defense counsel, Dr. Bunmi Bewaji, urged the court to temper justice with mercy.
He described the convict as a first-time offender who had shown genuine remorse and expressed a willingness to reform.
However, Justice Folorunsho ruled that the gravity of the offence required a firm response, sentencing the defendant to 18 months in prison.
The judge stated that the verdict sends a strong message that acts of child abuse and exploitation will not be tolerated in Kwara State.
He commended law enforcement agencies and the Ministry of Justice for their diligence in prosecuting the case and securing justice for the victim. Furthermore, Justice Folorunsho urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant and take proactive steps to protect children from predators.
The judge reaffirmed the commitment of the Kwara State judiciary and the government to safeguarding the rights and dignity of children, ensuring that offenders face the full weight of the law.