Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court has sentenced two men for child sexual abuse.
According to reports, the convicts, Chukwuka Odinaka and Ikechukwu Eze, will each serve ten years in prison for sexually assaulting a 16-year-old boy.
The court convicted them after they pleaded guilty to an amended two-count charge.
They faced charges of indecent treatment of a child and sexual assault.
The incident which occurred in 2020 and was prosecuted by the Lagos State Government.
The court heard that both men initially pleaded not guilty during their arraignment on November 23, 2022.
They were first charged with sexual assault by penetration.
However, the Prosecutor presented strong evidence during the trial.
The victim’s guardian, Jonathan Inalegwu Ounche, testified and helped identify and arrest the accused.
The court also received medical evidence confirming the sexual abuse.
The victim was referred to Women at Risk International Foundation,WARIF, a foundation that supports survivors of abuse.
A nurse, Okoi Oluchi, also testified on behalf of WARIF.
She submitted a medical report prepared by Dr Makanjuola.
The report confirmed physical injuries consistent with forced anal penetration.
With the evidence mounting, the defendants opted for a plea bargain.
Their lawyer, Tolulope Banjo, negotiated the terms of the agreement.
The court accepted their guilty plea and amended the original charge.
Justice Oshodi confirmed the plea was made voluntarily and without coercion.
He sentenced each man to seven years for indecent treatment of a child.
He added three more years for sexual assault.
Both sentences will run consecutively, totalling ten years each.
The court also ordered that their names be listed in the national sex offenders register.
Justice Oshodi said the decision reflects the judiciary’s commitment to protecting children.
He warned that sexual abuse would not be tolerated in Lagos State.
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