By Hezekiah Olujobi
A criminal may deny their crime even when caught red-handed. It is important to recognize that just because the government condemns certain crimes like sexual molestation and rape, it does not mean that everyone accused should automatically jailed contrary to law or receive heavy sentences. Fairness and justice must prevail in every trial.
As a child rights advocate and a father of four daughters, I am fiercely protective of my children. I will not tolerate anyone attempting to harm them. While I am vigilant in safeguarding my children and providing them with education, I am troubled by the stories I hear from prison inmates across the Southwest, including the recent complaint we received from the United States prison in Atlanta, Georgia, who claim they have been unfairly sentenced.
For example, I encountered a man behind bars in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, who insisted that his wife forced her own daughter to falsely accuse him of impregnating her. He vehemently denied committing such a heinous act because it is an abomination in his hometown, citing a misunderstanding with his wife over allegations of adultery involving a police officer who happened to be the investigating officer in his case.
Despite his pleas for a DNA test to prove his innocence, he was swiftly sentenced to life imprisonment.
We also have a similar case in Kirikiri where a wife accused her husband of molesting his own daughter, and the man was dumped in prison without trial since 2020. The same woman came to cry for our intervention to free her husband. Our investigation revealed that this woman was actually jealous of her husband with another woman. She has ran away from Lagos because some human rights lawyers are threatening her with arrest for failure to show up.
We also have a man complaining against his former girlfriend who framed him for the offense of raping her daughter just because they had a misunderstanding.
In the United States of America, we have one ADEDOJA Olaniyi baH, a Nigerian who was convicted to 3 life sentences plus 76 years over the allegation of rape. All evidence such as DNA, CCTV footage, and his GPS data that could have exonerated him were prevented during the trial. The man was unfortunate to run into such a deep grave dug by his friend who betrayed him after a business transaction.
Also in Kirikiri we attended to Robert Israel, who was sentenced to life imprisonment over allegations of rape. Mr. Robert Israel, a 60-year-old electrician and estate agent from Ibadan, was sent by his US-based employer to supervise a house in Lagos in July 2021. He explained that his path crossed with Oluchi, the 9-year-old victim’s mother, in August when she was engaged with a neighbor who had a shop on the same street. He mediated a misunderstanding between the two sisters, which led to a fight in August. By September.the other woman died mysteriously.
Subsequently, Oluchi’s mother sought house cleaning work from him, but he recommended her to a house painter but she quoted a high price, leading to her rejection.
Robert Israel recounted his surprise when Oluchi’s mother, accompanied by her husband and Oluchi, arrived at his place with two police women from Langbasa Police Station, Ajah, Lagos to arrest him on 29 October, 2021. They accused him of raping Oluchi on the 5th and 9th of October 2021 in the corridor of his master’s house. Robert stated that Oluchi and her mother knew his place but had never entered his apartment due to security measures.
When questioned about evidence, Oluchi’s mother claimed to have washed the victim’s underwear, leading to her dismissal from the DCO police officer’s office. Despite a medical report showing no injuries to the victim’s genitals, Robert was charged to court , convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment on June 13, 2024.
Behind every false allegation of rape, there is an underlying story which may not be clear to the public. When any aggrieved person wants to deal with the offended person, what he or she needs to do is to report to the police and frame up the person on allegations of rape.
The attitude of the Court of Justice towards this offense does not portray the true symbol of justice. The court should be a place where the oppressed get justice, not where the oppressor triumphs over the innocent. The court and the police should never be used as an instrument of oppression. Sincere apologies to my noble lords. The office of the Chief Judge must caution some judges who are known for conviction. There is a need to sensitize the conscience of these judges to the consequences of their judgments upon the accused person. Crushing the life of an individual is crushing the children at home and their extended family. Such heavy sentences are indirectly death sentences.
The police carry the whole blame for this for a lack of power to turn down every false accusation and allegation instead of dealing with the real grievance.
No matter how brilliant and strong a submission a defense counsel can make, some judges are hell-bent on tempering justice with mercy.
We also have some so-called human rights activists who go about mounting pressure on the victim and their families to appear before the court with a threat to send them to jail. Why all these things? Just to gain popularity or international grants.
A case of rape or sexual molestation is indeed a very sensitive and serious issue that requires careful consideration and handling. We would not take such cases lightly; we will ensure that justice is served for the victims. However, justice is not for the victim alone but also for the offender and the society.
It is crucial to prioritize the well-being and justice for the victims in such cases and not to be swayed by the denials or attempts to minimize the seriousness of the offenses.
It is essential to uphold the rule of law and ensure that the real perpetrators are held accountable for their actions.
As for us here, or let me say, “as for me, I would take the risk to listen to the individual who strongly believes he is innocent with his proof of evidence, and I shall raise my voice on behalf of such an individual until justice is triumphed.”
In situations where individuals are crying out for justice, it is crucial that we listen attentively and not ignore their pleas. The pursuit of truth and fairness should always guide our actions in such cases.
It is high time to listen to the complaints of individuals crying in heavy sentences without money to appeal for their case.
While the Correctional Centre are doing their best to keep the people behind bar safe, the overcrowding remains their major problem. The only way to help reduce the overcrowding is to identify cases who are not supposed to be there.
For more information about us, visit www.cjmr.com.ng or contact us at 08030488093 or via email at hezekiaholujobi@yahoo.com or info@cjmr.com.ng.
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