The Sexual Offences and Home Violence Courtroom in Ikeja, Lagos, has sentenced Damilare Adewale to 14 years’ imprisonment after he pleaded responsible to fees associated to the tried sexual assault of a 14-year-old lady.
Justice Rahman Oshodi delivered the ruling after the prosecution efficiently discharged the burden of proof, consistent with Part 135(1) of the Proof Act, 2011.
The court docket heard testimonies from the survivor and her guardian, who each served as prosecution witnesses and had been subjected to thorough cross-examination by the defence crew.
In line with the survivor, the convict, who resides in the identical neighbourhood, had beforehand invited her to his condo, a request she rejected.
She acknowledged that on the day of the incident, whereas getting back from a barbing salon, Damilare accosted her, forcibly took her into his room, and raped her.
“I used to be crying and shouting and noticed blood gushing out of my non-public half,” she stated.
In his pronouncement, Justice Oshodi acknowledged, “Damilare Adewale, you have got pleaded responsible to the offence of try and commit sexual assault by penetration.
“I need to say that you simply had been initially charged with extra severe offence of defilement which carries the prescribed punishment of life imprisonment underneath the Legal Regulation.
“Nonetheless, by way of your plea cut price course of, you have got pleaded responsible to the lesser cost of try and commit sexual assault by penetration underneath Part 262, which carries a minimal 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 title be registered as a sexual offender underneath Sections 33 and 38 of the Home and Sexual Violence Company Regulation of Lagos State, 2021