SEXUAL ABUSE SURVIVORS MAY FEAR SPEAKING OUT WHEN ABUSED BY TRUSTED PERSONS – COUNSELLOR TELLS COURT
Read Time:2 Minute, 22 Second
By Aishat Momoh. O.
A Mental Health Counsellor, Dr Rosemary Ogedengbe, on Tuesday told the Ikeja High Court that children who are sexually abused by people they hold in high esteem may be afraid to speak out.
Ogedengbe, a prosecution witness in the trial of a lawyer and pastor, Olawale Akanni, also known as Bashorun, made the disclosure while testifying before Justice Hakeem Oshodi.
Akanni is facing an amended three-count charge of indecent treatment of a child, assault occasioning harm and defilement of a minor, whose name is withheld.
The witness, who is the fifth prosecution witness, was led in evidence by the lead prosecution counsel, Mrs Olufunmilayo Aluko.
Ogedengbe told the court that she had handled more than 1,000 cases involving sexual abuse in the course of her professional practice.
She said she was a practising mental health counsellor at the Ceceyara Child Advocacy Centre, Gbagada, Lagos, where she had worked for over eight years.
The witness, who holds a doctorate degree in Guidance and Counselling from the University of Lagos, explained that her work involved helping individuals understand and resolve psychological challenges.
According to her, she was invited by the Lagos State Ministry of Justice to give expert opinion in the case involving the defendant.
She explained that when a child was sexually abused by someone the child trusted or held in high esteem, the experience could make the child fearful and reluctant to speak.
“When a child is sexually abused by someone they hold in a position of trust, the child will be afraid to talk.
“There is cohesion which brings about fear.
“One of the impacts of sexual abuse is fear,” she said.
However, during cross-examination by the defence counsel, Mr Gbenga Ojo, Ogedengbe admitted that she did not personally examine the alleged survivor in the course of her duties.
Ojo also informed the court that the defence intended to recall the alleged survivor, who was the first prosecution witness.
The defendant had earlier been re-arraigned on the amended three-count charge and pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution alleged that Akanni committed the offences between 2012 and 2014 on Iwaya Road, Onile, Lagos.
According to the prosecution, the defendant allegedly had unlawful sexual intercourse with the minor by inserting his penis into her vagina.
The prosecution further alleged that Akanni used a sharp instrument to cut the girl’s body, causing physical injuries and leaving permanent scars.
He was also accused of indecently treating the minor by grabbing her breasts, ordering her to remove her clothes and flogging her.
The alleged offences are said to contravene Sections 135, 137 and 173 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
The prosecution told the court that it was closing its case.
Justice Oshodi adjourned the matter until January 13, 2027, for the defendant to open his defence.
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0