Child Abuse: Ondo Court Jails Widow, Faces More Trial April

By Ayodele Oni

A widow, Mrs Opeyemi Omoyemi, is to spend four and a half years in prison for inflicting terrible body injuries on her 12-year-old house help.

The case of the house help, identified as Joel Sunday, went viral last week with serious body injuries inflicted on him by his mistress.

Omoyemi was arraigned before a Magistrate Court sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital on a five-count charge of attempted murder, child abuse, violence against persons prohibition among others.

The Prosecutor, Emmanuel Tanimowo, said the defendant committed the offence on February 6, 2022 at her residence located at Idimango Adewale axis of Ondo road, Akure.

He informed the Court that the crime was reported to the Police by one Mrs Alice Ayedun, a Community Health Officer, after she saw the boy writhing in pains with blood flowing from various parts of his body.

The defendant pleaded guilty to the three of the charges, and not guilty to the count three charge.

Catherine Ogunjebi who held brief for International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, urged the Court to remand the defendant in correctional facility.

However, the Defence Counsel, appealed to the Magistrate to temper justice with mercy as the defendant was a first time offender.

Following the prayers of the counsels, the Magistrate, Mrs Olufunmilayo Edwin, adjourned for sentencing and trial till February 14.

The magistrate also ordered that the children of the defendant should be taken to children’s home for custody.

The Magistrate Court, sitting in Akure, Ondo state capital, handed down the judgement Monday against the 36 years old woman.

Delivering her Judgement, Chief Magistrate Olufunmilayo Edwin found the accused culpable and sentenced her to three and half years on the first count charge of grievous harm she inflicted on the victim as shown in the viral video.

The defendant was also sentenced to one year imprisonment on count five.

Before the Chief Magistrate delivered the judgement, Counsel to the defendant, Foluso Kayode, had asked the Court to be lenient with his client.

He added that his client, is a first offender, stressing that she has not been arrested for any inhuman behaviour before now.

The Magistrate, also, ruled that the defendant should appear in Court on April 13 on count four bordering on human trafficking.