By Sumaila Ogbaje
An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court on Monday sentenced a man, Peter Ezeh, to 14 years imprisonment for attempting to sexually assault his girlfriend’s younger sister, aged 16 years.
Justice Rahman Oshodi sentenced Ezeh to 14 years imprisonment, following his plea bargain agreement to the amended charge of attempted by penetration contrary to Section 262 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
Ezeh was initially arraigned on a charge of defilement on June 2, 2022, in which he had pleaded not guilty.
The State Counsel, Ms Bukola Okeowo, had called three witnesses; the survivor, her sister and an investigative police officer through whom compelling evidence and exhibits were admitted into evidence.
The survivor, in her examination-in-chief, had narrated to the court how Ezeh had unlawful sexual intercourse with her twice when she escorted her elder sister to his house.
Okeowo, had, however, approached the court on Feb. 26 that Ezeh, with the consent of his counsel, had opted for a plea bargain and sentence agreement.
Ezeh was, subsequently, re-arraigned on an amended one count charge of attempted assault by penetration and he pleaded guilty to it.
Oshodi, thereafter, convicted Ezeh as charged and sentenced him to 14 years imprisonment.
The judge held that the offence which the convict pleaded guilty to was a serious one.
Oshodi said: “Peter Ezeh, the offence which you have been convicted, is a serious one involving a sexual violation of a minor.
“What makes your case particularly disturbing is that the survivor is the younger sister to your girlfriend.
“A-16-year old child who was brought to your house but you bridged the trust and slept with her twice.
“After she has testified, you made a u-turn and resulted to plea bargain agreement.”
He ordered that the sentence should commence from the day of his remand, Sept.29, 2021.
Oshodi said the convict’s name must be registered in the sexual offences register of the Lagos State Government. (NAN)
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