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Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos State Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court in Ikeja, on Wednesday, slammed a 10-year jail term on a man for rubbing the anus of a minor and caressing her breasts with his hands.
The convict, one Bamidele Folorunsho was convicted on two amended counts preferred against him by the Lagos State Government over his indecent treatment and sexual assault of the minor.
Folorunsho was initially charged with the offence of defilement of a 12-year-old girl in February 2018, but arraigned in October 2021 when he pleaded not guilty to the charge.
However, the state’s prosecution counsel, O. Aluko, at Wednesday’s hearing, informed the court of Folorunsho’s decision to opt for a plea bargain.
Consequently, he was re-arraigned on two amended counts, bordering on indecent treatment by rubbing the victim’s anus with his hands and sexual assault by fondling her breasts with his hands.
The acts contravened Sections 135 and 263 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015, the prosecution counsel said.
Aluko further disclosed that both parties had entered a plea and sentence agreement on December 12, 2024, for 10 years imprisonment, adding that the Director of Public Prosecutions, Dr Babajide Martins, had approved the agreement.
“My Lord, the prosecution did not call any witnesses before Folorunsho accepted the plea bargain agreement and he was remanded on March 22, 2018,” Aluko said, adding that the plea bargain required filing an amended charge.
Folorunsho confirmed to the court that he made the plea bargain voluntarily and under caution, and was satisfied by the advice of his counsel.
The defence counsel, M.I Alagbala, said: “We apply for a plea bargain for Folorunsho, we beg the court to grant the plea bargain.”
The amended charge was then read to Folorunsho and he pleaded guilty.
Thereafter, Justice Oshodi found him guilty as charged and sentenced him to 10 years imprisonment.
“I have found you guilty based on your plea in the amended information dated December 11, 2024. I have carefully considered the plea bargain agreement and your show of remorse,” the judge said.
“I sentence you to 10 years imprisonment which will commence from March 22, 2018, and your name should be registered as a sex offender.”
