A Lagos State Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court in Ikeja, on Wednesday, convicted and sentenced a man, Bamidele Folorunsho, to 10 years imprisonment for indecent treatment and sexual assault of a minor by rubbing her anus and caressing her breasts with his hands.
Justice Rahman Oshodi who handed down the verdict convicted Folorunsho of two amended counts preferred against him by the Lagos State Government.
The convict who was initially charged with the offence of defilement of a 12-year-old girl, in February 2018, was arraigned in October 2021, and he pleaded not guilty to the charge against him.
However, when the case came up on Wednesday, the state’s prosecution counsel, O. Aluko, told the court that the convict had opted for a plea bargain.
Folorunsho was then 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 prosecutor, Aluko, informed the court that both parties had entered a plea and sentence agreement dated December 12, 2024.
Aluko informed the court that a sentence of 10 years imprisonment was approved by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Dr Babajide Martins.
“My Lord, the prosecution did not call any witnesses before Folorunsho accepted the plea bargain agreement and he was remanded on March 22, 2018,” she said.
Aluko said the plea bargain required filing an amended charge.
The judge asked Folorunsho whether he understood the contents of his guilty plea and the obligation of the court to give out the maximum sentences on the charges.
Folorunsho admitted that he made the plea bargain voluntarily and under caution and that he 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 him and he pleaded guilty.
The prosecution said the offences committed by the convict contravened Sections 135 and 263 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.
Justice Oshodi sentenced the convict to 10 years imprisonment having found him guilty of the offences.
“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.
“I sentence you to 10 years imprisonment which will commence from March 22, 2018, and your name should be registered as a sex offender,” Oshodi ruled.
