Lagos graduate jailed for life for defiling 4-year-old in tricycle

A Lagos State High Court has sentenced 22-year-old graduate, Femi Ayoade, to life imprisonment for sexually assaulting a four-year-old girl inside a commercial tricycle, known locally as keke.

Justice Abiola Soladoye of the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court in Ikeja delivered the ruling on Tuesday, describing Ayoade as a “criminally audacious man who turned a child’s vagina into a playground.”

The judge condemned the act as “shameless,” stressing that the prosecution had established its case beyond reasonable doubt.

“The defendant is hereby found guilty of defilement and sentenced to life imprisonment,” Justice Soladoye declared, further directing that Ayoade’s name be added to the Lagos State Sexual Offenders Register.

How the case unfolded

According to the prosecution, led by Lagos State Counsel, Mrs. Olufunke Alebiosu, the assault occurred in September 2021 at Milestone Close, Infinity Estate, Skido Bus Stop in Eti-Osa, Lagos.

The court heard testimonies from two prosecution witnesses – the survivor and her father – while Ayoade testified in his own defence as the sole witness.

The offence, prosecutors argued, violated Section 137 of the Lagos State Criminal Law (2015), which prescribes life imprisonment for defilement.

The conviction underscores Lagos State’s tough stance on sexual offences, with campaigners stressing the need for continuous enforcement to protect children from predators.