An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court on Friday sentenced a man, Damilare Adewale to 14 years imprisonment for attempted sexual assault on a 14-year-old girl, (name withheld).

Justice Rahman Oshodi convicted and sentenced Adewale to 14 years imprisonment, following his plea bargain agreement to the amended one-count charge of attempted sexual assault by penetration.

The convicted was arraigned on the charge of defilement in which he had pleaded not guilty to on Nov.

The prosecution, bearing the burden of proof pursuant to section 135(1) of the Evidence Act 2011, adduced evidence through two witnesses, the survivor and her guardian, both of whom were subjected to extensive cross- examination by defence.

The survivor, in her testimony, had told  the court she was on her way to a barbing shop when the convict, who lived in her  neighbourhood, accosted and dragged her to his room.

The survivor had further told the court that the convict had expressed his desire to take her to his house but when she refused, he forcibly dragged her to his residence, where he pushed her onto his bed, removed her undergarments and defiled her.

The survivor had also testified that she was crying and shouting during the ordeal and observed blood resulting from the convict’s  actions.

She had confirmed to the court that she was 14 years of age and that it was her first encounter with the convict.

The prosecution, had, however informed  the court on May 27 and said that the convict had opted for plea bargain, which  necessitated the amended charge.

Oshodi, while delivering the judgment, said that he was satisfied that the convict was competent to enter an informed plea and made the guilty plea without oppression.

He said: “Damilare Adewale, you have pleaded guilty to the offence of attempt to commit sexual assault by penetration contrary and I have accepted your plea and convicted you accordingly.

“I must emphasise that you were initially charged with the more serious offence of defilement, which carries the prescribed punishment of life imprisonment under the Criminal Law.

“However, through the plea bargain process, you have pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of attempt to commit sexual assault by penetration under section 262, which carries a maximum sentence of 14 years’ imprisonment.

“I have carefully considered your plea for mercy, you told this court that you gained admission to the Open University and learned other useful trades in the Kirikiri Mximum Security Custodial Centre.”

The court thereafter convicted him him on the amended charge.

“After serving your sentence, I believe what you have learned will assist your reintegration into society.

“Having considered all the circumstances of this case, including the seriousness of the offence, the impact upon the victim, your guilty plea, and the terms of the plea agreement, I endorse the agreed sentence of 14 years.

“I hereby sentence you to 14 years’ imprisonment, commencing on 13 August 2020, the date of your remand in custody,” Oshodi said.

The judge also  ordered  that  the convict’s name be registered as a sexual offender under sections 33 and 38 of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency Law of Lagos State, 2021. (NAN)

 A Kaduna Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday sentenced a 39-year-old travel agent, Adebayo Oyeronke, to four years imprisonment over a N6.2 million visa fraud.

Oyeronke had pleaded guilty to the charges of fraud and theft.

Delivering judgment, Magistrate Ibrahim Emmanuel, held that Oyeronke was guilty of defrauding Rita Francis and four others of the sum of N6.

Emmanuel who did not give the convict an option of fine, ordered him to pay N2 million each as compensation to the victims.

The magistrate also ordered him to undertake an affidavit of good conduct, pledging never to engage in any criminal or corrupt activities again.

Earlier, the prosecution Insp.

Leo said that the defendant collected N6.2 million from the complainants; Rita Francis, Mohammed Sadiq, Christian Baba, Williams Abiodun and Nathan Victor, with a promise to get them Polish visa.

He said after the convict collected the money, he absconded to an unknown destination until he was arrested on May 15.

The prosecutor said the offences contravened the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017. (NAN)

 A 31-year-old  woman, Opeyemi Bakare, on Tuesday appeared before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing an iPhone valued at N500,000.

Bakare, of undisclosed address, was charged with two counts of conspiracy and stealing .

The prosecutor, Insp Iyabo Oladoyin, told the court that the defendant and others at large conspired and committed the offences on May 2 at 3.

According to Oladoyin, the defendant stole an iPhone 12 valued at N505,000, belonging to the complainant, Mr Oluseyi Oba.

The prosecutor said the phone was stolen in Dugbe Market and was tracked to the defendant.

She said the offences contravened Sections 390 (9) and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Magistrate, Mrs T.G. Daodu, admitted the defendant to  bail in the sum of one million naira with two sureties in like sum.

Daodu thereafter adjourned the case until July 8 for hearing. (NAN)

 A 31-year-old  woman, Opeyemi Bakare, on Tuesday appeared before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing an iPhone valued at N500,000.

Bakare, of undisclosed address, was charged with two counts of conspiracy and stealing .

The prosecutor, Insp Iyabo Oladoyin, told the court that the defendant and others at large conspired and committed the offences on May 2 at 3.30 p.m. in the Dugbe area of Ibadan.

According to Oladoyin, the defendant stole an iPhone 12 valued at N505,000, belonging to the complainant, Mr Oluseyi Oba.

The prosecutor said the phone was stolen in Dugbe Market and was tracked to the defendant.

She said the offences contravened Sections 390 (9) and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Magistrate, Mrs T.G. Daodu, admitted the defendant to  bail in the sum of one million naira with two sureties in like sum.

Daodu thereafter adjourned the case until July 8 for hearing. (NAN)