Man Locked Up for 20-Years Jail Term for Raping Minor

Dennis Okubia has been imprisoned for 20 years for raping a 12-year-old girl, in Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja on Wednesday, Match 20, 2024. The three-month incident led to urinary incontinence for the victim.

Justice Ismail Ijelu ruled that the victim stated that she went for evangelism and, in the process, went to check on the convict, who had not been coming to church after the pastor of her church instructed them to visit members who had not been seen in church for some time.

He stated that she testified that because she respected Okubiat as an elder in their church, she went to check on him and then assisted him in washing plates and cleaning his home.The victim also said that after she was finished, the inmate offered her Garri, which she adored.

She said raping her caused her to have a white substance in her private part. She woke up to find itching and was warned not to tell anyone. Okubiat repeated the rape several times for three months, eventually being caught by neighbors. The victim now struggles with self-control, especially at night, and has never been able to control herself before the rape.

Justice Ijelu ruled that the victim’s testimony and the medical report of the victim were valid, and that Okubiat was sentenced to 20 years in prison. The victim, a 12-year-old girl, had been sexually assaulted by Okubiat, who threatened her not to tell anyone about the incident. Okubiat claimed that the victim came to his house because her mother was working in a hotel and she abandoned the victim and her siblings. He also testified that he had known the victim’s family since they arrived in the community.

However, Nurse Oluchi Nwoke-Okoi, testified that the victim was brought to their office on September 14, 2021, due to the sexual defilement of a minor. She reported that when she entered his house, he offered her garri and groundnut, and after taking two spoons, she became drowsy and slept off. She later found herself naked and saw sperm on her body, and the perpetrator threatened her not to tell anyone. She claimed that he sexually assaulted her several times in June, July, and August 2021, but only raped her once on September 6, 2021, before being arrested.

Justice Ijelu accepted the victim’s evidence and the medical report, stating that the prosecution’s case was proven beyond a reasonable doubt. He concluded that Okubiat’s act was premeditated, vulnerable, and took advantage of the victim, causing extreme psychological and social harm. Okubiat was sentenced to 20 years in prison.