Man gets 14 years jail term verdict for raping minor

By Felix Kuyinu

A sexual offender has been sent to prison for raping a 12-year-old girl in Ikorodu Lagos.

The convict, Hoya Abraham, who was arraigned before the Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court commited the dastardly act at Mowo Kekere, Elepe in Ikorodu in July 2019, thus, contravening section 262 of the criminal law of Lagos state, 2015.

The 35-year-old defendant initially pleaded not guilty to the charge of defilement when arraigned in August 2021, however, he recently opted for a plea bargain and was arraigned on amended charges.

In his judgment on Thursday 18th, January, Rahman Oshodi, the presiding judge, said he was pleased that Abraham was aware of the nature of the agreement and the gravity of the charge against him.

Oshodi said the survivor’s testimony was corroborated by the confessional statement of the defendant.

“Her evidence was corroborated by the confessional statement of Abraham to have committed the offence,” said Oshodi.

“The victim in her testimony said that the defendant asked her to come over to his house to fry eggs for him and he ended up having sex with her which resulted in bleeding.

“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 January 18.”

The Presiding Judge said the prosecution was able to establish an attempted sexual assault by penetration in the evidence presented before the court.

“I hereby find the defendant guilty as charged,” he added.

“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.”

He ordered that the name of the suspect be published in the Lagos State sexual offenses register.