SNOW TV NEWS DESK
A Lagos court has discharged and acquitted Taiwo Oyelabi, a man who spent more than eight years in custody over allegations that he sexually assaulted his biological daughter, after ruling that the prosecution failed to establish the charge beyond reasonable doubt.
In a judgment delivered by Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court, the court held that although there was evidence that Oyelabi had sexual intercourse with his 21-year-old daughter, the prosecution failed to prove that the act was non-consensual.
At the center of the judgment was a critical gap in the prosecution’s case: the alleged victim was never called to testify. According to the judge, her testimony was essential to establishing whether the sexual intercourse occurred without her consent. Instead, the prosecution relied on the evidence of a police officer, ASP Iyabo Bakare, who recounted what the daughter had allegedly told her during police investigations.
Justice Oshodi ruled that the officer’s account could not substitute for direct testimony from the alleged victim, describing it as hearsay. The court also rejected Oyelabi’s purported confessional statement after finding that it had not been obtained in accordance with the requirements of Section 9(3) of the Lagos State Administration of Criminal Justice Law, 2015.
Oyelabi was charged under Section 260 of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015, over an alleged incident in November 2017 at Community Road, Obadore, Igando. He was arrested on April 16, 2018, following information received by the police.
During the proceedings, the prosecution alleged that Oyelabi admitted to having a sexual relationship with his daughter and impregnating her. However, the court maintained that allegations and circumstantial accounts, no matter how troubling, could not replace legally admissible evidence capable of proving every element of the offense.
In his ruling, Justice Oshodi emphasized that criminal convictions must be based on evidence beyond reasonable doubt, not suspicion or the seriousness of an accusation.
Beyond the legal arguments, the judge also raised concerns about the length of time Oyelabi spent in custody while awaiting the conclusion of his trial. He had remained detained for more than eight years, despite the case ultimately ending in an acquittal.
The court also commended his defense lawyer, Mr. Onome Akpeneye, for representing him without charge since his arraignment in December 2021.
The ruling highlights two important issues within Nigeria’s justice system: the need for thorough prosecution of serious sexual offense allegations and the importance of protecting the constitutional right to a fair trial. While an acquittal does not necessarily establish what happened behind closed doors, it underscores a fundamental legal principle: no person should be convicted without sufficient and admissible evidence.
Ultimately, the case is also a sobering reminder of the human cost of prolonged pre-trial detention, particularly when an accused person spends years behind bars before the court reaches a final decision.
“Sir Bartholomew White Ebe is a Lagos-based media personality, Music Artist, Producer, and a Relationship Coach and independent journalist. With over seven years of experience tracking political developments and cultural shifts in Nigeria, he specializes in local current affairs, grassroots politics, and community-driven reporting across Lagos State. As the founder and chief editor of Snow Multimedia Connect {SNOW TV}, he leads the editorial team to deliver verified, high-impact stories to digital audiences.”
Email: snowmediaconnect@gmail.com
