Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos State Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court in Ikeja on Wednesday sentenced a 61-year-old farmer, Abayomi Abraham to 14 years for attempted sexual assault on his 15-year-old biological daughter (name withheld).
The judge sentenced him after he pleaded guilty to the amendment of the one-count charge of sexual assault by penetration.
The convict was initially charged with four counts of defilement, sexual assault by penetration, attempt to procure an abortion and indecent treatment of a child.
He was arraigned on February 21, 2024, and he pleaded not guilty to the offence.
The prosecutor counsel, Ms Bukola Okeowo, had on Monday informed the court that Abraham had opted for a plea bargain agreement which necessitated the amendment of the charge to attempted sexual assault by penetration contrary to Section 272 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos, 2015.
In his judgment, Justice Oshodi held that he was satisfied that the convict was competent to enter an informed plea and made the guilty plea without being coerced.
According to the judge, the convict admitted that he made the guilty plea voluntarily and was satisfied with the advice of his counsel.
Oshodi said: “The convict was aware of the nature of the amended information and the consequences of his plea.
“Abayomi Abraham, you have pleaded guilty to the offence of attempt to commit sexual assault by penetration contrary to Section 262 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State and I have accepted your plea and convicted you accordingly.
“The survivor in this case is your biological daughter, who was 15 years old at the time of this offence and as the prosecution stated during sentencing, as her father, you held a position of absolute trust and responsibility towards her.
“You were meant to be her protector, guide, and safe harbour. Instead, you violated that sacred trust in the most despicable manner possible.”
The court also reminded the convict that he was initially charged with more serious offences, including defilement, sexual assault by penetration, attempt to procure abortion and indecent treatment of a child.
“The first two charges are punishable by life imprisonment. However, through the plea bargain process, you have pleaded guilty to this lesser charge, and I am bound to sentence you according to the agreed terms.
“Whilst I acknowledge your expression of remorse and your plea for leniency, and recognise that your guilty plea has spared your daughter the ordeal of giving evidence and reliving her trauma in open court, these factors cannot excuse or mitigate the gravity of your conduct.
“Your plea evidences some measure of acceptance of responsibility, yet it cannot remedy the harm you have inflicted upon her,” Oshodi held.
Consequently, the court sentenced the convict to 14 years imprisonment but held that the sentences should begin from August 31, 2022, the date he was remanded in custody.
The judge also held that the convict’s name should be registered as a sex offender in furtherance to Sections 33 and 38 of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency Law of Lagos State 2021.
