An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court has sentenced Idris Ashimiyu to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl in Lagos State.
Justice Abiola Soladoye delivered the judgment on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, after ruling that the Lagos State Government had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The court also ordered that Ashimiyu’s name be entered into the Lagos State Sexual Offenders Register.
How the Incident Happened
During the trial, the survivor, who was 13 years old when she testified, told the court that she knew Ashimiyu because he helped run errands and wash cars within their compound.
She narrated that she was outside when Ashimiyu came upstairs, touched her inappropriately and subsequently sexually assaulted her.
According to her testimony, her grandmother discovered what had happened after going to look for her and finding her with the defendant. Ashimiyu was later taken to a police station.
Court Rejects Defence Evidence
Ashimiyu had pleaded not guilty to the charge brought against him by the Lagos State Government.
His defence counsel, A.O. Ayode, called one witness, identified as Ibrahim, who told the court that he was not present when the incident occurred because he had gone to work.
The witness said he learnt about the incident from a neighbour and claimed that Ashimiyu had told him he was only playing with the girl.
However, Justice Soladoye said she carefully examined the evidence presented by both parties, including the survivor’s age, the consistency of her account and the issue of consent.
The judge found the survivor’s testimony credible and coherent, concluding that the prosecution had established the defendant’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Life Sentence, Sexual Offenders Register
Following the conviction, the court imposed a life sentence on Ashimiyu and directed that his name be included in the state’s Sexual Offenders Register.
The judgment reinforces the legal consequences of sexual offences against children and the importance of protecting minors from abuse.
The case also highlights the role of the courts in holding perpetrators accountable and ensuring that allegations of child sexual abuse are addressed through the justice system.
