TheCable

The Lagos state sexual offences and domestic violence court, says a trader identified as Chukuwemeka Ejike, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for sexually assaulting a 9-year-old girl.

A statement issued on Tuesday by the Lagos State Domestic & Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) said Ejike was prosecuted on a two-count charge bordering on defilement.

The 50-year-old trader had committed the crime at No 1, Samson Street, Oke Odo, Agege area of Lagos in May 2017.

During the trial, Ramhan Oshodi, the presiding judge, sentenced Ejike after he pleaded guilty as charged by the Lagos government.

Oshodi described the offence as a “terrible thing”, adding that the trader attempted to “put his penis in the vagina of the girl”.

The prosecution counsel said the offence contravened Section 262 of the criminal laws of Lagos state, 2015.

The prosecution presented four witnesses which included the investigating police officer, the father of the survivor, a medical doctor, and the victim, to testify against the defendant when he pleaded not guilty.

The suspect later took a plea bargain and pleaded guilty to an amended charge, dated January 4, 2024.

The judge ruled that he was satisfied that the convict was aware of the nature of the plea bargain and the seriousness of the charge against him.

Oshodi added that besides the evidence led by the prosecution, the crucial elements of an attempt to commit sexual assault by penetration, were established.

“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,” the judge ruled.