In a shocking verdict handed down by Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court, Islamic cleric Alani Rafiu has been sentenced to life imprisonment for repeatedly defiling a 14-year-old girl in Lagos. The horrific incident occurred on August 17, 2021, in the Ikotun area of Lagos State, inside a mosque where Rafiu was supposed to provide spiritual guidance.
Rafiu was arraigned on October 28, 2021, for having sexual intercourse with the teenager, despite pleading not guilty to the charge ¹. However, after a thorough investigation and trial, the prosecution, led by B. Boye and I. D. Solarin, presented three witnesses, including the victim, who testified against Rafiu.
Justice Oshodi held that the prosecution proved each of the ingredients of defilement against Rafiu, emphasizing that the gravity of the convict’s offense could not be overstated. The judge noted that Rafiu betrayed the trust placed in him as a religious instructor and family friend, exploiting the victim’s vulnerability and buying her silence with money.
This verdict serves as a strong warning to those who would exploit and harm vulnerable individuals, particularly children.
