An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court, Lagos, Thursday sentenced a 61-year-old farmer, Abayomi Abraham, to 14 years imprisonment for sexually assaulting his 15-year-old biological daughter, (name withheld).
Justice Rahman Oshodi convicted and sentenced the victim’s father after he pleaded guilty to an ammended 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.
Abraham had pleaded not guilty to the charges when he was initially arraigned on 21 February 2024.
The state counsel, Bukola Okeowo, had informed the court on May 26 that Abraham had agreed on a plea bargain which necessitated the amended charge of attempted sexual assault by penetration.
The charge is contrary to section 272 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos, 2015.
Justice Rahman, 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.
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- year- old at the time of this offence was committed 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 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”.
“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 furtherance to Sections 33 and 38 of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency Law of Lagos state 2021.