Legal practitioners have warned against the growing practice of privately settling child sexual abuse cases, saying it obstructs justice and allows offenders to evade prosecution.
The warning follows reports that ₦1.5 million was allegedly paid to the mother of a three-year-old girl who was reportedly defiled by a 47-year-old man in Ejigbo, Lagos.
Speaking in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the lawyers stressed that rape and defilement are criminal offences against the state and cannot be resolved through private agreements.
Lawyer and development practitioner, Enitan Oluwa, said no amount of compensation paid to a victim’s family could erase criminal liability or prevent the state from prosecuting an alleged offender.
She noted that private settlements often frustrate investigations, as families who accept money may refuse to cooperate with investigators or testify in court, leading to the loss of vital forensic evidence.
Oluwa also said delayed reporting caused by settlement negotiations could significantly weaken prosecution, while sending a dangerous message that wealthy offenders could buy their way out of justice.
She added that a three-year-old child was incapable of consenting to or understanding decisions made on her behalf, stressing that poverty, stigma and lack of confidence in the justice system should not override a child’s right to justice.
According to her, anyone who facilitates the concealment of a serious criminal offence through financial inducement could face legal consequences. She urged the Lagos State Police Command and the Ministry of Justice to continue investigating the case regardless of any reported settlement, while calling for immediate medical, forensic and psychological support for the child.
Principal Counsel at Kehinde Nubi and Associates, Kehinde Nubi, described the reported payment as disturbing, saying child sexual abuse allegations could never be treated as private matters.
He maintained that while every suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty, allegations of child sexual abuse must be thoroughly investigated and determined by the courts, not through private negotiations.
Country Director of Advocacy for Justice and Accountability (AJA), Ogedi Ogu, also insisted that defilement is a criminal offence against the state, adding that any private settlement has no legal effect and cannot shield an alleged offender from prosecution.
He said parents who deliberately frustrate prosecution through financial inducement could also face criminal charges if found to have obstructed justice.
Similarly, Jude Nwancho, a partner at Martins Nnebedum and Co. Chambers, described the increasing trend of families withdrawing sexual abuse complaints as unfortunate, warning that it weakens efforts to deter offenders and protect vulnerable children.
He added that if authorities become aware of such settlements, they have the power to re-arrest suspects and continue prosecution despite any private agreement.