A Kwara State High Court has convicted a 22-year-old man, Ishaq AbdulRazaq, for the sexual abuse and exploitation of a five-year-old minor in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
According to the charge, the offence occurred on July 21, 2025, at the Gaa-Odota area of Ilorin, where the defendant was accused of sexually abusing the child.
After a thorough examination of evidence presented before the court, the trial judge found AbdulRazaq guilty of sexual exploitation of a minor, an offence contrary to Section 32(2) of the Child Rights Law of Kwara State.
During allocutus, defence counsel, Dr. Bunmi Bewaji, pleaded for leniency, describing the convict as a first-time offender who had shown remorse and was willing to reform.
Delivering judgment, Justice Oba Muritala Folorunsho sentenced the defendant to one and a half years imprisonment.
“This judgment serves as a stern warning to perpetrators of child abuse and exploitation that the Kwara State judiciary will not tolerate such heinous crimes,” the judge said.
He commended law enforcement agencies and the Ministry of Justice for ensuring justice for the victim and her family, while urging parents and guardians to be more vigilant in protecting children from predators.
Justice Folorunsho also encouraged victims of child abuse to speak out and seek help, stressing that the ruling reflects the commitment of the Kwara State Government to protecting the rights and dignity of children.
Hammed Shittu, Ilorin
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