2-year-old pupil allegedly abused by 47-year-old Chrisland school supervisor reveals ordeal
A pupil who was allegedly abused by Adegboyega Adenekan, a 47-year-old Chrisland School supervisor, on Thursday, again testified at an Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court in Lagos.
During questioning, the pupil who was 2 years old when she was abused, confirmed the incident.
Before the child’s testimony, Justice Sybil Nwaka had ordered that members of the public vacate the public gallery of the courtroom. She, however, allowed journalists and lawyers to witness the testimony.
When the little girl, identified only as Child X, was brought into the courtroom, the judge rose from her bench to sit by a desk opposite Child X.
Justice Nwaka engaging Child X in a small talk said: “I love your shoes, we are all your uncle and aunties here. Do you like the building? Do you know why you are here?”
The prosecution led by Jide Boye, the Chief State Counsel, led the child in evidence by asking a series of questions and getting the following responses from her.
When asked who Adenekan is, she said “When I go to class after recess, I see Mr Adenekan after recess”.
Revealing her several encounter with Adenekan, she added; “He put his mouth in my wee-wee, the first time he did that, he took me out of the class. The second time, I ran. I tried to report to my teacher but my teacher did not believe me, so I reported to my mummy.
“First time he did it was inside his office which was the toilet, the second time he did it was in the hall which was outside.
“I did not like what he did, he put his hand in my wee-wee, he put his wee-wee in my wee-wee and he put his mouth in my wee-wee.”
The prosecution at this point proceeded to show Child X three photographs, one of which was Adenekan’s.
Child X identified Adenekan’s photograph.
Child X said: “This is Mr Adenekan, I remember how he used to greet me but I don’t know where he is.”
Prosecution: “How did you feel when he was doing it to you?”
Child X: “I felt I should tell my mummy, I felt pain.”
Prosecution: “When he did it, what were you wearing?”
Child X: “My Chrisland School uniform.”
Prosecution: “Can you describe how he did it to you?”
Child X: “He put his hand under my uniform, he put his hand in my wee-wee, pull my uniform down and it was really really paining me.
“When it was really really paining me, I screamed and he covered my mouth like this (demonstrated with hand over her mouth).
“I couldn’t do anything because he covered my mouth. When I was trying to remove it (his hand) he tightened my mouth.”
Prosecution: “Describe his office”
Child X: “I cannot remember.”
The defence counsel, Mr Olatunde Adejuyigbe (SAN) opposed the tendering as evidence, the three photographs shown to Child X during proceedings. According to him, the prosecution did not comply with Section 86 of the Evidence Act.
In his submission, Boye told the court that in accordance with Section 84 of the Evidence Act, photographs are no longer secondary evidence but primary evidence and as a result, the photographs should be admitted as evidence.
In a short ruling, Justice Nwaka said: “I cannot agree more with the prosecution. These photographs do not have a certificate. I mark them tendered but rejected.”
Justice Sybil Nwaka, however, adjourned the case until May 21 for continuation of trial at 11 am.
