By Prosper Mene
A Lagos State High Court has acquitted a man who spent seven years in custody on charges of child molestation (defilement), citing insufficient evidence to sustain the prosecution’s case.
The defendant, whose identity has been withheld pending further details from court records, was arrested in 2019 following allegations of sexually assaulting a minor. He had been held in pre-trial detention at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre since then, as the case faced multiple adjournments amid Nigeria’s backlog of judicial matters.
Delivering the judgment on Tuesday, Justice [Name Withheld for Privacy] ruled that the prosecution failed to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt. Key testimonies from witnesses were deemed inconsistent, and medical evidence presented did not conclusively link the defendant to the alleged offence.
“The burden of proof lies with the state, and where there are material contradictions in the evidence, the accused is entitled to the benefit of doubt,” the judge stated.
Reacting to the acquittal, the defendant’s counsel expressed relief, describing the seven-year wait for justice as “a harrowing ordeal that highlights systemic delays in the criminal justice system.” He called for reforms to prevent prolonged pre-trial detention, noting that many awaiting-trial inmates languish for years without resolution.
Human rights advocates have welcomed the verdict, pointing to it as a reminder of the risks of wrongful accusations in sexual offence cases, which carry severe social stigma even upon acquittal.
The Lagos State Ministry of Justice has not indicated whether it will appeal the ruling. The acquitted man was released from custody immediately after the judgment.
This case adds to growing concerns over prolonged detention in Nigeria, where thousands remain in prisons awaiting trial for extended periods.
