Constance Obinagwam
Justice S. O. Nwaka of the Lagos State High Court, on Tuesday, acquitted a 72-year-old man, Cosmos Umoren, over alleged defilement of a 5-year-old girl.
Justice Nwaka sitting at Special Offences and Domestic Court, in Ikeja, signed the release of the Defendant on account that the Prosecution Counsel was not able to produce witnesses since May 24, 2017, that the case was registered.
The judge also acquitted the Defendant because he had been sick and needed medical attention.
The judge had asked the Defendant of his state of health and the accused had produced some drugs that was given to him by the Prison Nurse. She also asked if he has a family, and if his family were in court, to which the Defendant answered in the affirmative.
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Upon hearing this, and identifying his family members in court, his son and daughter, the judge again, asked the Persecution Counsel if his witnesses were in court, but he said No.
The judge, then, stated thus: “Take him home today. Bring the papers let me sign now I don’t want to wait for any official,” and thus signed his release from custody.
The Defendant could not hold himself as he knelt before the court with tears of joy and singing, ‘What the Lord has done for me, I cannot tell it all’.
He also blessed the judge saying, “You will live long and reap the fruit of your labour”.
The Defendant was charged with defilement of a child contrary to section 137 of the criminal law Ch. C17, Vol. 3 laws of Lagos State 2015.
It was recorded that the Defendant on the 5th of December, 2016, at No. 9, Adenuga Kajore Street, Akoka, Bariga, defiled one Tenifayo Oyetunji, 5, by having sexual intercourse with her.