Kemisola Oye
FOR indecent treatment and sexual assault of a minor by rubbing her anus with his hands and foundling her breasts with his hands, a Lagos Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court sitting in Ikeja has sentenced a man, Bamidele Folorunsho to 10 years in prison.
The trial judge, Justice Rahman Oshodi, handed down the conviction and sentence today after finding the defendant guilty of a two-count amended charge brought against him by the Lagos State government.
The prosecution counsel, O.Aluko, had, during the arraignment of the defendant, said he committed the offence sometime in February 2018, wherein he defiled a 12-year-old girl.
The defendant at the time pleaded not guilty when he was initially arraigned in October 2021.
He was, however, re-arraigned on 11 December 2024 on a two-count amended charge bordering on indecent assault of a child.
He was said to have sexually assaulted the 12 years old, treated the minor by rubbing her anus with his hands and foundling her breast with his hands.
His offence is said to be contrary to sections 135 and 263 of the Criminal Code Law of Lagos State 2015.
Aluko, therefore, informed the court that both parties have entered a plea bargain agreement dated 12 December 2024.
The counsel further informed the court that the plea bargain required filing an amended charge and, therefore, prayed the court to have the charge read to the defendant.
The judge asked the defendant whether he understood the content of his guilty plea and the obligation of the court to hand him the maximum sentence based on the charges.
Bamidele affirmed he made the plea bargain voluntarily and under caution, a deed that he was satisfied by the advice of his counsel. He subsequently pleaded guilty to the charge.
His assertion was corroborated by his counsel, M.I Alagbala, who pleaded with the court to accept the plea bargain.
Earlier during proceedings, Aluko informed the court that a sentence of 10 years imprisonment was approved by the Director of Public Prosecution, Dr Babajide Martins.
Aluko further stated that the prosecution hadn’t called any witness before the defendant changed his mind and decided to plead guilty, hence the plea bargain agreement, noting that he was remanded on 22 March 2018.
Justice Oshodi, therefore, sentenced the convict to ten years imprisonment.
The court held: “I have found you guilty based on your plea in the amended information dated 11 December 2024; I have carefully considered the plea bargain agreement and your show of remorse.
“I sentenced you to 10 years imprisonment, which will commence on 22 March 2018, and your name should be registered as a sex offender.”
Eighteen-Eleven Media