Court sentences man to 14 years in jail for raping minor in Lagos

An Ikeja sexual offences and domestic violence court has sentenced a man, Hoya Abraham, to 14 years imprisonment for raping a 12-year-old girl in Lagos.

The 35-year-old suspect committed the offence at Mowo Kekere Elepe in Ikorodu area of Lagos in July 2019.

The offense contravenes section 262 of the criminal law of Lagos state, 2015.

When the defendant was arraigned on August 8, 2021, he pleaded not guilty to the charge of defilement.

However, he recently opted for a plea bargain and was arraigned on amended charges.

In his judgment on Thursday, Rahman Oshodi, the presiding judge, said he was pleased that the defendant was aware of the nature of the agreement and the gravity of the charge against him.

Oshodi said the survivor’s testimony was corroborated by the confessional statement of the defendant.

“Her evidence was corroborated by the confessional statement of Abraham to have committed the offence,” NAN quoted the judge as saying.

“The victim in her testimony said that the defendant asked her to come over to his house to fry eggs for him and he ended up having sex with her which resulted in bleeding.

“However, when the case was called today, the prosecution informed the court that that defendant had opted for a plea bargain and he was re-arraigned on an amended information dated January 18.”

Oshodi said the prosecution was able to establish an attempted sexual assault by penetration in the evidence presented before the court.

“I hereby find the defendant guilty as charged,” he added.

“However, 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 ordered that the name of the suspect be published in the Lagos State sexual offenses register.