A 61-year-old UK-based Nigerian, Anthony Adewale Sobogun, has been sentenced to 28 years in prison for multiple sexual offences against two children over a 15-year period.
The London Metropolitan Police disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, noting that Sobogun, of Thistlewood Crescent, Croydon, was sentenced at Inner London Crown Court after being found guilty of 17 non-recent sexual abuse offences.
According to the police, the crimes, committed in the 1990s and early 2000s, included repeated sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 13 and rape of a child. The victims were known to the convict, who subjected them to prolonged abuse.
The statement revealed that one of the victims became pregnant as a result of the abuse, and Sobogun reportedly accompanied her to an abortion clinic. Investigators later confirmed the procedure through medical records and counseling notes, which detailed the pattern of abuse.
Sobogun was arrested in the early hours of July 2, 2025, and subsequently charged and convicted following what police described as a thorough, victim-led investigation that prioritised building trust and gathering credible evidence.
Detective Constable Charlotte Lockyer commended the courage of the victims, stating that their willingness to come forward made the conviction possible.
“The bravery of the victims in coming forward is what brought Sobogun to justice. Their actions have prevented further harm and shown that justice can still be achieved, no matter how long ago the abuse occurred,” she said.
In a joint statement, the victims described the case as a reflection of a broader issue often concealed by fear, stigma, and silence within communities.
“What has come to light is deeply distressing, but sadly, it is not an isolated situation. Abuse like this exists in many communities, often hidden by family, fear, silence, or stigma,” they said.
They encouraged other survivors of abuse to speak up, emphasising that it is never too late to seek justice.
The victims also expressed appreciation to the Metropolitan Police, the Crown Prosecution Service, and prosecutor William Goss for handling the case professionally.
Authorities noted that the investigation adopted a victim-centred approach, including the use of specially designed suites for video-recorded interviews to support sensitive evidence gathering.
Police reiterated their commitment to improving support for victims and strengthening the quality of evidence in sexual abuse cases.
