By Deborah Nnamdi
Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos State Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court in Ikeja on Tuesday convicted and sentenced a man, Sunday Okoronkwo, to 17 years imprisonment at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre, for attempting to assault his neighbour’s seven-year-old granddaughter sexually.
Okoronkwo was handed down the 17-year jail term to the convict following his plea bargain agreement to two-count amended charges of attempted sexual assault by penetration and sexual assault.
Justice Oshodi, in judgment held that he was satisfied that the convict made an informed plea bargain agreement with the prosecution and fully understood the nature and gravity of the criminal allegation against him.
According to him, the offenses committed by the convict revealed anarming conduct.
He said: “You sexually assaulted a seven-year-old child who was your neighbor’s grand-daughter.
“The prosecutrix’s evidence, which was corroborated by both your confessions, established that you had sexual intercourse with her.
“You have elected to enter into a plea bargain agreement wherein you pleaded guilty to attempting to commit sexual assault by penetration and sexual assault.
“The maximum sentence for attempting to commit sexual assault by penetration is 14 years imprisonment, whilst sexual assault carries a maximum term of three years imprisonment.”
The court thereafter sentenced the convict to 14 years imprisonment for attempted sexual assault by penetration and three years for sexual assault.
Justice Oshodi further held that the sentences should run consecutively from December 14, 2018, when the convict was first remanded in custody.
“I strongly urge you to use this period of incarceration constructively by participating in available rehabilitation programs, particularly those addressing sexual offending behavior.
“Furthermore, under Sections 33 and 38 of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency Law, 2021, I hereby order that your name be registered in the Lagos State Sex Offenders Register maintained by the Lagos State Government,” Justice Oshodi added.
The convict was first arraigned on November 19, 2021, and re-arraigned on October 28, 2024, on the charge of defilement in which he had pleaded not guilty on both occasions.
The Lagos State prosecution counsel, Ms. Bukola Okeowo, during the trial, called three witnesses: the prosecutrix (survivor), her mother, and an investigative police officer through whom a medical report was admitted into evidence.
Okeowo said the convict committed the offences on December 14, 2018, in the Ijeshatedo, area of Lagos.
The survivor, in her testimony, told the court that the convict who was a neighbor to her grandmother had sent her on an errand and then lured her into his room, removed her clothes and unlawfully had sex with her.
The prosecution, however, informed the court that the convict had entered a plea bargain agreement which necessitated the amended charge.
According to the prosecution, the offences contravened Sections 262 and 263 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
