By Bose
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A Lagos court has delivered a landmark judgment, sentencing one Victor Dickson to life imprisonment for the assault of a six-month-old baby in Ibeju-Lekki, in a case that has sparked outrage and renewed calls for vigilance against child abuse.
The Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court, presided over by Justice Rahman Oshodi, handed down the verdict on April 13, 2026, after finding the defendant guilty of sexual assault by penetration. The court ruled that the prosecution established its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The incident, which occurred on October 17, 2021, involved the victim’s neighbour, who took advantage of a moment of trust. Evidence before the court showed that the child’s mother had briefly stepped away when Dickson took the infant into his room, where the offence was committed.
During the trial, the prosecution presented three crucial witnesses, the baby’s mother, father, and the investigating police officer, whose testimonies were consistent and compelling. The court also relied on strong circumstantial evidence linking the defendant to the crime.
In his ruling, Justice Oshodi pointed out glaring inconsistencies in Dickson’s defence. While he admitted in an earlier statement to carrying the child, he later denied doing so in court and instead accused the child’s mother of acting out of revenge. The judge rejected this claim, describing it as baseless.
Condemning the act as a gross betrayal of trust, the court emphasized that the victim’s family had no reason to suspect danger from a neighbour. Justice Oshodi ruled that the severity of the crime justified the maximum penalty.
Dickson will serve his life sentence in a maximum-security custodial centre. The court further directed that his name be entered into the sexual offenders register, in accordance with the law.
The judgment sends a strong message about the consequences of sexual violence, particularly against minors, and reinforces the commitment of the justice system to protect the most vulnerable.
