An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court on Thursday sentenced a man, Francis Onwuzulike, to nine years six months imprisonment for sexually assaulting his neighbor’s son, a 13-year-old boy, (names withheld).

Justice Rahman Oshodi convicted and  sentenced Onwuzulike, following his plea bargain agreement to the amended three-count charge of indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault and indecent acts.

The convict was charged with sexual assault by penetration in which he had pleaded not guilty but a plea bargain was later reached by the parties.

The Prosecutor, Ms Bukola  Okeowo, bearing the burden of proof pursuant to Section 135(1) of the Evidence Act 2011, called one 13-year-old boy as witness, who was cross- examined by the Defence Counsel, Mr Olanrewaju Ajanaku.

The victim had testified that in July 2018, when he was 13 years of age, the convict, who was his neighbour at No. 13 Adesanya Street, Ketu, Mile 12, Lagos committed acts of sexual abuse against him on three separate occasions.

The boy had narrated that the convict would send him on errands, and upon his return, would lock his door before perpetrating acts of sexual violence.

The boy said that he would be positioned face-down on the convict’s bed, whereupon the convict would mount on him and insert his penis into his anus.

The boy said that the convict had threatened to kill him should he disclosed what happened to anyone.

The boy said the abuse came to light through the intervention of the convict’s younger brother, who witnessed one of the incidents and subsequently informed the boy’s mother.

During cross-examination, the victim revealed that he suffered from constipation and other health complications due to the abuse.

Oshodi, while delivering the judgment held  that he was satisfied that the convict knew  the nature of the offences he pleaded guilty to.

He said: “You stand before this court for sentencing, having pleaded guilty to indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault, and indecent acts, contrary to sections 135, 263, and 134, respectively.

“Initially, you were charged with sexual assault by penetration, an offence which attracts life imprisonment as punishment. However, following negotiations between the prosecution and your counsel, a plea agreement was reached dated 27 May 2025.

“Under the current charges to which you have pleaded guilty and been convicted, the prescribed punishments are as follows: count one, indecent treatment of a child: seven years imprisonment; count two, sexual assault: three years imprisonment; and count three, indecent acts: two years’ imprisonment.

“I have carefully considered your plea of guilty, which demonstrates a degree of acceptance of responsibility. I have also considered the remarks you made during the sentencing proceedings, in which you expressed profound regret and made a compassionate plea for mercy.”

The court held that the convict had tendered a comprehensive bundle of certificates obtained whilst in custody in support of his plea.

According to the judge, the certificates, 10 in number, demonstrate remarkable dedication to self-improvement and rehabilitation during the convict’s period of incarceration.

“The demonstrated commitment to personal transformation and the tangible evidence of rehabilitation justify a reduction of 20 per cent from the agreed sentence of 12 years, amounting to a decrease of two years and four months.

Accordingly, you are hereby sentenced to nine years and six months’ imprisonment, which sentence shall commence from the date of your remand on Sept. 12, 2018.

“Furthermore, under sections 33 and 38 of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency Law of Lagos State 2021, you shall be registered as a sex offender,” Oshodi said. (NAN)

An Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan, on Thursday, ordered the remand of 10 persons in a correctional facility over alleged armed robbery and murder.

The defendants include Sheriff Lawal, 27, Lawal Bashit, 23, Oyewale Sodiq, 30, Akeem Ogunyemi, 41, and Kazeem Afolayan, 40.

Others are Akeem Raji, 37, Olabode Hammed, 25, Yusuf Lekan, 26, Ayomide John, 23 and Samuel Okezie, 32.

They are facing a six-count charge bordering on conspiracy, armed robbery and murder.

The Magistrate, Mrs Gladys Oladele, did not take the plea of the defendants for want of jurisdiction.

She directed the police to return the case file to the Director of Public Prosecution for legal advice.

She adjourned the case until July 21 for mention.

The Prosecutor, Sgt. Samuel Owolabi, told the court that the defendants committed the offences on May 15, at about 9.30 p.m, at Oak Hotel, around Moniya, Ibadan.

Owolabi said the defendants robbed one Shuaibu Adam of the sum of N100, 000, while armed with sticks and cutlasses.

He said the defendants also unlawfully caused the death of one Abdul Isah, 23, by beating him with sticks and inflicted injury all over Adam’s body.

He said the offences contravened Sections 516 and 319 of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000. (NAN)

A Kaduna Magistrates’ Court, on Thursday sentenced a 23-year-old man, Abba Danladi, to 10 months imprisonment for stealing his neighbour’s refrigerator and television set worth N500,000.

Danladi, who resides in Kawo area of Kaduna State, was convicted of conspiracy, housebreaking, and theft.

The Magistrate, Ibrahim Emmanuel, sentenced him after he pleaded guilty to the crime and begged for forgiveness.

Emmanuel, however, gave the convict an option of a fine of N15, 000 and also ordered him to restitute the N500,000 to the complainant, Rebecca Victor.

He held that if the convict failed to restitute the N500,000, he would serve additional 11 months imprisonment.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Insp Chidi Leo, told the court that the complainant of the same address with the defendant reported the matter at the Kawo Police Station, on May 29.

Leo said at about 4.20 p.m. on May 28, the complainant returned from work and discovered that some persons had broken into her room through the window and made away with her refrigerator and television set.

He added that in the course of the investigation, the convict was arrested and when interrogated, he confessed to being one of the perpetrators of the crime.

The prosecutor said that the defendant committed the crime with two other persons, at large.

He said the offence contravened the provisions of the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017.(NAN)