COURT SENTENCES 61-YEAR-OLD FARMER TO PRISON OVER ATTEMPTED SEXUAL ASSAULT OF DAUGHTER
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court 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).
Justice Rahman Oshodi sentenced Abraham to 14 years imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to the amendment one count charge of sexual assault by penetration.
Abraham was initially charged with a four-count of defilement, sexual assault by penetration, attempt to procure an abortion, and indecent treatment of a child.
The sexagenarian had initially been arraigned on 21 Feb. 2024 in which he had pleaded pleaded not guilty to.
However, the state counsel, Ms Bukola Okeowo had informed the court on May 26 that Abraham had opted for a plea bargain agreement which necessitated the amended charge of attempted sexual assault by penetration contrary to section 272 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos, 2015.
The court, while delivering the judgment, held that he was satisfied that the convict was competent to enter an informed plea and made the guilty plea without oppression.
According to the judge, the convict admits that he made the guilty plea voluntarily and was satisfied with the advice of his counsel.
He said: “The defendant 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 thereafter 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 said.
The court thereafter sentenced the convict to 14 year imprisonment but held that the sentences should begin from Aug. 31, 2022, the date he was remanded in custody.
The judge also held that the convict should be registered as a sex offender in in furtherance to Sections 33 and 38 of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency Law of Lagos State 2021.
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