Olusegun Ariyo
The Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court in Ikeja, Lagos, has sentenced Damilare Adewale to 14 years’ imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to charges related to the attempted sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl.
Justice Rahman Oshodi delivered the ruling after the prosecution successfully discharged the burden of proof, in line with Section 135(1) of the Evidence Act, 2011.
The court heard testimonies from the survivor and her guardian, who both served as prosecution witnesses and were subjected to thorough cross-examination by the defence team.
According to the survivor, the convict, who resides in the same neighbourhood, had previously invited her to his apartment, a request she rejected.
She stated that on the day of the incident, while returning from a barbing salon, Damilare accosted her, forcibly took her into his room, and raped her.
“I was crying and shouting and observed blood gushing out of my private part,” she said.
In his pronouncement, Justice Oshodi stated, “Damilare Adewale, you have pleaded guilty to the offence of attempt to commit sexual assault by penetration.
“I must say that you were initially charged with a more serious offence of defilement, which carries the prescribed punishment of life imprisonment under the Criminal Law.
“However, through your 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 minimum sentence of 14 years imprisonment.
“I hereby sentence you to 14 years imprisonment, commencing on 13 August 2020, the state of your remand in custody.”
Oshodi 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
