By Felix Kuyinu
The Ikeja Special Offences Court has jailed a man for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl.
The jailer’s wife was also sentenced on a community service for evading prosecution on her husband.
The police, arraigning the duo: Ezimora Okechukwu alongside his wife, Ezimora Obioma at the court on Monday disclosed that the incident happened on July 17, 2022, at their residence in Abule Osun, Ojo, Lagos.
The court sentenced the first defendant Okechukwu, 49, to seven years imprisonment for sexual assault, and three jail term for indecent handling of the victim.
The second accused, Obioma is to go on a one year community service for concealing the sexual crime from reaching the authorities.
According to the prosecution, the offences contravene Section 135 (1), 163 and 415 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.
The amended charge on the duo reads, “Felony contrary to Section 135(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. Did you, Ezimora Okechukwu, on July 17, 2022, at No 9, Block 19, Divine Height Street, Abule Osun, Lagos State, indecently handle a victim, a 15-year-old, by caressing her breast?”
“Sexual assault contrary to Section 163 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State. Did you Ezimora Okechukwu sexually assault the victim?
“Accessory after the fact of felony contrary to Section 415 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State. Did you Ezimora Obioma, fail to notify the police when the victim age 15 years, reported to you that one Ezimora Okechukwu had sexual intercourse with her?”
Both defendants pleaded guilty to the charges.
The prosecution stated that the first defendant’s defilement charge which is contrary to Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015 was reduced after he applied for a plea bargain through his counsel.
The judge, Rahman Oshodi acknowledge the report of the defendants to be first time sex crime offenders. He also held grounds that the defendants showed remorse for their actions.
However, Oshodi termed the act as “too heinous” to be overlooked. In his rulling, he said, “The first defendant stands accused of a heinous act, the defilement of a vulnerable housemaid who found shelter under his roof. The second defendant, rather than being a protector or seeking justice, the second defendant is said to have become an accomplice in silence and an accessory. She stands accused of disregarding the victim’s right by concealing the alleged crime even after the occurrence. These allegations paint a picture of the horror of abuse of power and moral failure challenging our society’s most fundamental principle of care and trust.
“I hereby sentence you the first defendant, Okechukwu Ezimora, to seven years for indecent handling and three years for sexually assaulting the victim, both sentences to concurrently.
“In reference to the acceptance by the Attorney General to pronounce a conditional community service on the second defendant, Obioma Ezimora, I sentence you to a discharge of one-year community service.”
