An elderly Lagos resident, Mr. Idowu Fashola, has recounted his ordeal after spending seven years in custody over an allegation of child molestation, a charge from which he was eventually cleared by a court of law.
Fashola was accused of raping a young girl who had lived with his family for several years. According to him, the girl was brought to his home by his wife when she was about three years old to be cared for and trained, a practice common in many Nigerian households. He said the child remained with his family until she reached secondary school age, after which she returned to live with her parents.
Trouble began, Fashola narrated, when the girl’s family later showed up at his residence accompanied by police officers and accused him of raping the child. He was subsequently arrested and arraigned, a development that marked the beginning of a long and traumatic legal battle.
The accusation led to his prolonged detention as the case dragged through the court system. Fashola said he spent seven years in custody while maintaining his innocence, insisting that he never committed the offence alleged against him.
After years of trial, the court eventually ruled in his favour, finding that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against him. The judge consequently held that he had no case to answer and ordered his discharge.
Speaking after his release, Fashola described the experience as devastating, noting that the years spent in detention took a heavy toll on his health, family life and reputation. He expressed gratitude for his eventual freedom but lamented the irreversible losses he suffered during the period.
The case has once again drawn attention to concerns over prolonged pre-trial detention and the slow pace of justice in Nigeria, with rights advocates calling for reforms to prevent innocent citizens from spending years behind bars without conviction.
