Man Bags 14-Year Imprisonment For Attempted Sexual Assault Of Minor
Justice Rahman Oshodi of a Lagos Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court sitting in Ikeja has sentenced a middle-aged man, Chukuwemaka Ejike to 14- years imprisonment for attempted sexual assault of a nine year old girl .
The judge described the offence which the convict was charged before him as a terrible thing. According to him, he do not understand what a man like him want from such a young child.
While sentencing the defendant, the judge stated that he was first charged and arraigned in June , 2017 on a two count charge bordering on defilement.
Chukuwemaka Ejike, committed the offence sometimes on May 2017 at No 1, Samson Street, Oke odo, Agege Lagos.
He however pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Justice Oshodi noted that during the trial, four witnesses which include the IPO, the father of the survivor, a medical doctor and the survivor testified against the defendant.
“The survivor who was nine years old testified against the defendant which she was referring to as “Baba Chinedu”, saying that he forceful had intercourse with her, by forcing his penis into her vagina. Her evidence was corroborated by the medical doctor who carried out a test on her at Mirabel center.”
However, the defendant changed his plea while he opted for plea bargain in an amended charge dated January 4,2024.
“The defendant opted for plea bargain and he was re-arraigned on January 15, 2024 in an amended.
He however pleaded guilty to the amended charge of attempted sexual assault.
Chukuwemaka Ejike, 2017, No 1, Sampson street Oke odo, Agege Lagos, attempted to put his penis in the vagina of a 9 year old girl.
In convicting the defendant, the judge noted that he was satisfied that the defendant understand the significance of his decision to plead guilty to the amended charge and that he was not forced to plead guilty.
“I was satisfied that the defendant understand the significance of his decision to plead guilty to the amended charge and that his counsel had explained the charge to him; he also admitted that he made the plea voluntarily.
“There is abundance evidence to support the charge against the defendant; the prosecution has proved its case against him.
I hereby convict him accordingly.
In his plea for leniency , Ejike begged the court to have mercy on him, saying he will not do such thing again.
Counsel to the defendant, Chinwe Owojori in his allocutus urged the court to be lenient with him, stating that he has turned a new leaf.
She said: “My lord, we plead that you tamper justice with mercy, the defendant changed his plea and did not waste the time of the court. He has turned a new leaf and learnt his lessons.”
Justice Oshodi thereafter convicted Ejike of the charge and sentenced him to 14-year imprisonment.
He added that the convict’s name be entered in the Sexual Offences Register maintained by Lagos State Government.
