An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court, on Monday, sentenced a 50-year-old trader, Chukwuemeka Ejike, to 14 years’ imprisonment for attempting to sexually assault a nine-year old girl.
Justice Rahman Oshodi sentenced Ejike following his guilty plea to an amended charge of attempted sexual assault by penetration.
Ejike admitted guilt under plea bargain agreement.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Oshodi said that he was satisfied that Ejike understood the nature of plea bargain and the gravity of the charge against him.
Oshodi noted that Ejike had pleaded not guilty to a charge of defilement, on arraignment on July 30, 2021, adding that three prosecution witnesses had testified against him.
He said that the victim/survivor, her father and a medical doctor had testified against Ejike.
“Her (victim/survivor) evidence was corroborated by the testimony of the medical doctor and the medical report conducted at the Mirabel Medical Centre on June 8, 2017.
“However, when the case was called today, the prosecution informed the court that that defendant had opted for a plea bargain and he was re-arraigned on an amended information dated Jan. 4,” the judge said.
Oshodi added that evidence presented by prosecution established an attempt to commit sexual assault by penetration.
“I hereby find the defendant guilty as charged.
“You have done a terrible thing. I do not understand what you want from a child.
“However, I have considered the plea bargain that you signed and the allocutus from your counsel.
“I hereby sentence you to 14 years’ imprisonment which will start from the day of your remand,” the judge said.
Oshodi directed that Ejike’s name should be put in the Lagos State Sexual Offences Register.
Defence counsel, Ms Chinwe Owojori, had in her allocutus (plea for leniency), prayed the court to temper justice with mercy.
Owojori told the court that Ejike had turned a new leaf and did not waste the time of the court.
State counsel, Ms Bukola Okeowo, submitted that Ejike committed the offence on May 20, 2017, about 4.00 p.m. on Samson Street, Oke-Odo, Agege, Lagos State.
She said that the convict attempted to have sexual intercourse with the minor in contravention of Section 262 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
-NAN
