A 56-year-old man will spend the rest of his life behind bars after an Ekiti State High Court convicted him of repeatedly raping his 14-year-old stepdaughter.
Justice Adekunle Adeleye delivered the landmark verdict in Ado Ekiti, finding Jayeoba Oluwafemi guilty under Section 31(2) of the state’s Child Rights Law.
The nightmare began in October 2020 when the girl’s mother traveled to Lagos, leaving her vulnerable at home. Court documents reveal the stepfather took advantage of these absences to assault the teenager multiple times. During emotional testimony, the survivor described waking to violent rape in the middle of the night, suffering severe bleeding afterwards.
Despite bravely reporting the abuse to her mother, no protection came. The situation worsened when the stepfather discovered her disclosures and began threatening her. Desperate for help, the teenager eventually confided in a stranger on the street who guided her to the governor’s office, triggering official intervention.
Prosecutor Julius Ajibare built an airtight case with six witnesses and medical evidence confirming the assaults. The defense team’s denials crumbled under scrutiny, with Justice Adeleye noting the pattern of abuse proved repeated violations, not isolated incidents.
In his decisive ruling, the judge emphasized the prosecution’s overwhelming evidence left no reasonable doubt. The life sentence reflects Ekiti State’s strict penalties for child sexual violence under its 2012 Child Rights Law. This case highlights both the courage of survivors coming forward and the critical role community members play in stopping abuse.
While delivering justice, the verdict also exposes tragic failures in familial protection. Legal experts hope the strong sentence will deter potential offenders and encourage victims to seek help. Child welfare advocates commend the survivor’s bravery while calling for better systems to prevent such atrocities.
The courtroom fell silent as the judge pronounced the life term, bringing closure to a case that shook the community. Officials confirm the survivor is receiving counseling and support services as she rebuilds her life. This landmark judgment sets a powerful precedent in Nigeria’s fight against child sexual violence.