By Felix Kuyinu
The Ikeja Special Offences Court in Lagos has jailed a man identified as Lawal Moshood for raping a septuagenarian woman who is now deceased.
Justice Rahman Oshodi, giving the rulling, convicted Moshood to 14 year jail term on one-count amended charge brought against him.
The convict, during his initial arraignement on May 13, 2024, pleaded not guilty.
He was later re-arraigned on an amended one count charge bordering on attempt to commit sexual assault by penetration, contrary to section 262 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.
He then pleaded guilty.
The prosecutor, Bola Okeowo, called on two witnesses, two IPOs and exhibits were tendered to prove the charge against the convict.
Moshood admitted he made the plea bargain voluntarily and was satisfied by the advice of his counsel.
Justice Oshodi stated at the court, “The defendant met the victim, a 78-year-old woman, now deceased, in Maryland, on January 2, 2019. She had dementia and could not find her way home. He offered to assist her but it turned out to be a deliberate act to abuse the victim.
“The defendant took the 78 years old woman to a secluded area and raped her. Some Good Samaritans heard her cry and mobilize to rescue her.
“She was taken to the police station and it was confirmed that the survivor was bleeding through her private part and bruises on her face.
“She was later taken to Mirabel Medical Center for examination. The medical examination result was received as exhibit F in evidence which documents physical trauma and forceful penetration of the survivor’s virgina.”
The defendant’s counsel Oyebanji Yusuf pleaded to the court to tamper justice with mercy. He said, “He is remorseful towards what he has done, I plead to this honourable court to tamper justice with mercy. He committed a very grievous offence considering the age of the victim”
The prosecutor, however, urged the court to sentence Moshood according to the plea bargain.
“My lord we urge this honourable court to sentence the defendant according to the plea bargain. The plea bargain agreement does not reduce the gravity of the offence committed by the defendant,” began Okeowo.
“The victim was 78 years old, she only sought help from the defendant. He took advantage of it and raped her which caused the victim a lot and laid her to her death.
“My Lord this will send a powerful message message and signal to the society that sexual abuse will not be tolerated in the society.
“We also asked that his name should be registered in the sexual offenders register”
Oshodi gave the rulling saying, “The offender is sentenced to 14 years imprisonment on the one-count charge after considering the plea bargain agreement between the prosecution and defence counsel.
“The 14 years imprisonment would commence on January 2, 2019, the day he was remanded.
“Though the victim is dead already but one can imagine the pains of a 78 year-old woman suffering from dementia, the anguish inflicted on her, her family, which will live with a painful reality”
The judge ordered the convict to be returned to the Kirikiri Medium Custodial Center and his name to be included in the Lagos State Sexual Offenders Register.
