Father tells court how neighbour allegedly defiled daughter

Justice Rahman Oshodi of a Lagos Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court, Ikeja was yesterday told how one Ugo Emmanuel Ejima allegedly defiled his neighbour’s 12-year-old daughter.

The prosecution witness, (name withheld), who was the father of the alleged survivors told the court that the defendant threatened to kill her daughter.

He testified in an ongoing trial of Ugo Emmanuel Ejima for sexual abuse of the teenager.

Led-in-evidence by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Dr Babajide Martins, the witness told the court that the defendant threatened the survivor not to reveal to anyone about the alleged sexual escapade.

He described the house where he lived with the defendant as a roomy apartment, adding that he (witness) lives with his family in a single room in that residence.

He said Ejima allegedly had sex with his daughter on May 29, 2022.

The witness noted that the defendant was like a family member to him and he trusted him.

In his testimony, he said it was brought to his attention that his daughter was bleeding around that time, but he thought she was on monthly cycle (menstruating), so he bought her sanitary towel (pads) but it did not stop until she was taken to the hospital.

“At the hospital in Kirikiri, they said it was an infection and I was charged N180,000, in which I needed help to raise the money.

“Then, I had financial struggles which led me to seek help from people, including the defendant, who is a generating set repairer,” he narrated.

He also said he made a statement at the police station and that the officers took his daughter to another hospital where she was examined.

When the witness was cross-examined by the defendant’s counsel, Mr
John Okoloise, he confirmed he had quarrel with the defendant over electricity bill.

The counsel further asked the witness whether he received a gift of a school bag and sandals that the defendant gave his daughter and the witness answered in the affirmative.

“I received the gift but I did not know at the time that he bought the gift because of what he has done to my daughter. My daughter has never lied to me but she only hid the truth of the defilement earlier because the defendant threatened to kill her parents,” the witness said.

After listening to his testimony, the judge adjourned further hearing to May 31.