MAN BAGS 17-YEAR JAIL TERM FOR ATTEMPTED SEXUAL ASSAULT OF NEIGHBOR'S SEVEN-YEAR-OLD GRAND-DAUGHTER

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A man named Sunday Okoronkwo was given a 17-year prison sentence by an Ikeja Sexual Offenses and Domestic Violence Court for trying to sexually abuse his neighbor’s seven-year-old granddaughter.

In response to Okoronkwo’s plea deal to a two-count modified charge of attempted sexual assault by penetration and sexual assault, Justice Rahman Oshodi sentenced him to 17 years in prison at the Kirikiri Correctional Center.

Oshodi stated that he was confident the convicted individual had fully comprehended the nature and seriousness of the criminal charge against him and had entered into an informed plea bargain with the prosecution.

He claims that the offenses the convicted person committed show concerning behavior.

He said: “You sexually assaulted a 7-year-old child who was your neighbor’s granddaughter.

“The prosecutrix’s evidence, which was corroborated by both your confessions, established that you had sexual intercourse with her.

“You have elected to enter into a plea bargain agreement wherein you pleaded guilty to attempting to commit sexual assault by penetration and sexual assault.

“The maximum sentence for attempting to commit sexual assault by penetration is 14 years imprisonment, whilst sexual assault carries a maximum term of three years imprisonment.”

Following that, the court sentenced the convicted individual to three years in jail for sexual assault and fourteen years for attempted sexual assault by penetration.

The court also decided that the sentences should begin on December 14, 2018, the day the convicted person was originally placed under remand in detention.

“I strongly urge you to use this period of incarceration constructively by participating in available rehabilitation programme, particularly those addressing sexual offending behaviour.

“Furthermore, under sections 33 and 38 of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency Law, 2021, I hereby order that your name be registered in the Lagos State Sex Offenders Register maintained by the Lagos State Government,” Oshodi said.

On the charge of defilement, the convicted individual was first arraigned on November 19, 2021, and again on October 28, 2024. He entered a not guilty plea on both occasions.

The prosecutrix (survivor), her mother, and an investigative police officer—through whom a medical report was admitted into evidence—were the three witnesses that State Counsel Ms. Bukola Okeowo had called.

According to Okeowo, the offender committed the crimes in Ijeshatedo, Lagos, on December 14, 2018.

In her testimony, the survivor informed the court that the inmate who lived next door to her grandmother had sent her on an errand, enticed her into his room, undressed her, and had sex with her without permission.

The prosecution, however, informed court that the convict had entered a plea bargain agreement which necessitated the amended charge.

According to the prosecution, the offences violate Sections 262 and 263 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015