Man Pleads Guilty To Sexual Assault On 14 Year Old Girl

By Felix Kuyinu

The Sexual Offences and Domestic Court in Ikeja, Lagos, has sentenced a sexual offender, Damilare Adewale, to prison after pleading guilty to charges bordering on sexual assault on 14 year old girl.

The court sentenced Damilare to 14 years imprisonment after stating that there the prosecution was able to provide burden of proof that the jailer truly commited the act, pursuant to Section 135(1) of the Evidence Act 2011.

The court judge, Rahman Oshodi, listened to testimonies of the survivor alongside her guardian, who stood as prosecution witnesses and subjected to extensive cross-examination by defence.

The survivor uttered that the transgressor, who lives in the same neighborhood, had expressed desire to take her to his apartment which was turned down by her.

However, she dislosed that on the eventful day, she was heading back from the barbing salon when Damilare accosted and forcibly dragged her to his room, and raped her causing her defilement.

“I was crying and shouting and observed blood gushing out of my private part,” she said.

The judge said ” Damilare Adewale, you have pleaded guilty to the offence of attempt to commit sexual assault by penetration.

“I must emphasize that you were initially charged with more serious offence of defilement which carries the prescribed punishment of life imprisonment under the Criminal Law.

“However, through your plea bargain process, you have pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of attempt to commit sexual assault by penetration under Section 262, which carries a minimum sentence of 14 years imprisonment.

“I hereby sentence you to 14 years imprisonment, commencing on 13, August 2020, the state of your remand in custody.”

Oshodi ordered that the convict’s name be registered as a sexual offender under Sections 33 and 38 of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency Law of Lagos State, 2021.