A Cry for Justice: Lagos Court Hears Chilling Tale of A Stepfather’s Abuse and Abortions

 

In a somber courtroom in Ikeja, Lagos, the harrowing story of a young girl’s suffering at the hands of her stepfather, Adewunmi Ajayi, unfolded on Thursday before Justice Abiola Soladoye. The Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court heard chilling testimony from Investigating Police Officer (IPO) Aderinto Foluke, who laid bare the grim details of a case that has shocked the community. Adewunmi, alongside his wife, Idowu Ajayi, the victim’s mother, faces trial for allegations of repeated sexual assault on the underage survivor, resulting in multiple pregnancies and forced abortions.

The case, which has gripped the attention of advocates for child protection, was brought to light in 2021 when a courageous teacher from the survivor’s school reported the abuse to the Adeniji Adele Police Station on Lagos Island. Accompanied by the 15-year-old survivor and armed with a referral letter from Alausa, the teacher’s actions set in motion a police investigation that uncovered a disturbing pattern of abuse allegedly perpetrated by Adewunmi since 2019. IPO Foluke, a seasoned officer attached to the Nigeria Police’s Human Rights Unit, testified that the stepfather had been engaging in unlawful sexual intercourse with the minor, leading to two pregnancies that were terminated by the girl’s mother, Idowu.

The court listened in stunned silence as the IPO recounted the survivor’s ordeal. According to Foluke, the young girl confided in her teacher out of fear, revealing that she was pregnant for the third time by her stepfather. The survivor’s decision to speak out was driven by her desperation to escape the cycle of abuse and her desire to continue her education. The teacher’s intervention proved pivotal, as the girl had grown wary of her mother, who she believed would force yet another abortion. “She was afraid,” Foluke told the court, emphasizing the survivor’s vulnerability and courage in seeking help.

Further deepening the horror, the IPO revealed that the survivor suspected her stepfather of drugging her tea to facilitate the assaults. The girl’s younger sister reportedly noticed residue in a cup, prompting the survivor to confide in her grandmother. When confronted, Idowu allegedly dismissed the claims but later took her daughter to a hospital after complaints of stomach pain. Medical examinations confirmed the survivor’s third pregnancy, and police investigations substantiated that Idowu had arranged two prior abortions. The court admitted critical evidence, including two statements, a medical referral letter, and a medical result, which bolstered the prosecution’s case led by State Counsel Abibat Ogunwemimo.

Under cross-examination by Defence Counsel Emmanuel Uwadoka, IPO Foluke stood firm, acknowledging that she did not visit the crime scene or the hospital but had spoken with the survivor’s grandmother over the phone. Her investigation, she maintained, was thorough, relying on the survivor’s consistent account and corroborating evidence. The gravity of the allegations hung heavy in the courtroom, as the couple’s arrest in 2021 marked the beginning of their legal reckoning.

Justice Soladoye adjourned the trial to May 28, leaving the public awaiting further developments in a case that underscores the urgent need for vigilance in protecting vulnerable children. The survivor’s bravery in breaking her silence serves as a beacon of hope, illuminating the dark corners of abuse and demanding justice for those whose voices are too often silenced.