THE Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court has sentenced a man identified as Taofik Oladosu, to 14 years’ imprisonment for attempting to sexually assault a 12-year-old girl, (name withheld).
During the hearing of the case, the prosecution team called two witnesses, a medical doctor and an Investigative Police Officer, through whom compelling documents were tendered as evidence against the convict.
The Lagos State prosecution counsel, Ms Bukola Okeowo, told the court that the convict committed the offence between September and December 2015 on Oyo Street in the Mushin area of the state.
Okeowo said the convict attempted to sexually assault the victim by trying to penetrate her vagina with his finger.
According to the prosecution, the offence committed contravened Section 262 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
The convict was sentenced following his plea bargain agreement to the amended one-count charge of attempted sexual assault by penetration. While delivering judgment in the matter, the presiding judge, Justice Rahman Oshodi held that he was satisfied that Oladosu understood the nature of the plea bargain agreement he entered into.
He also held that the court must emphasise that the convict was initially charged with the more serious offence of defilement, which carries the prescribed punishment of life imprisonment under the Criminal Law.
“However, through the 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 maximum sentence of 14 years’ imprisonment.
‘’I have considered your plea for mercy, and I have also considered the prosecution’s submissions regarding the appropriate sentence.
‘’The plea agreement, dated and filed on April 11, provides that you shall serve 14 years’ imprisonment from the date of your remand.
‘’Having considered all the circumstances of this case, including the seriousness of the offence, the impact upon the victim, your guilty plea, and the terms of the plea agreement, I find the agreed sentence appropriate and hereby adopt it.”
Consequently, Justice Oshodi sentenced the convict to 14 years’ imprisonment and held that the sentencing should commence on December 14, 2015, the day of his remand.
The court further said that the convict’s name should be registered as a sexual offender.
