Ekiti Court Sentences Woman To Three Years For Child Abuse

An Ekiti State Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Ado Ekiti has sentenced a 33-year-old woman, Moradeke Adeoti, to three years imprisonment for violating the Ekiti State Government’s directive on child hawking and abuse.

Adeoti was arraigned on November 29, 2024, on a one-count charge of unlawfully engaging an 11-year-old girl, Oyindamola Adeoti, in street hawking. The charge stated that the defendant, on November 22, 2024, unlawfully engaged the minor in hawking goods on the streets and highways, an offence punishable under Section 30(2) of the Child’s Right Law of Ekiti State 2019.

During the trial, the defendant’s landlady, Bosede Oso, testified against her, stating that the young girl, who is the defendant’s cousin, was being treated like a slave. She said while the defendant’s biological children were sent to school, the victim was forced to hawk pepper, palm wine, and other items, often during school hours.

“We warned her several times, but she refused to change,” Oso said. “A man once offered to enroll the girl in school, but Moradeke rejected the offer. On November 24, 2024, the girl was involved in a motorcycle accident at the Omisanjana area of Ado Ekiti. She was rushed to the hospital, and the matter was reported to the police.”

The Police Prosecutor, Inspector Adeoye Adesegun, presented one witness and tendered several exhibits, including the defendant’s statement, the nominal complainant’s statement, and the hospital card.

In her defence, Adeoti, through her counsel Opeyemi Esan, pleaded for mercy, claiming ignorance of the state’s laws prohibiting child hawking during school hours.

Delivering judgment, Magistrate Olatomiwa Daramola found Adeoti guilty, noting that she had confessed to sending the girl to hawk pepper and palm wine to raise funds to enrol her in school.

“The prosecution has established the offence against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt. I find her guilty as charged, and I convict her accordingly,” the magistrate ruled.

Adeoti was sentenced to three years imprisonment with hard labour or a fine of N20,000 as an alternative to the prison term.