Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos State Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court has sentenced two men, Chukwuka Odinaka and Ikechukwu Eze, to 10 years in prison each for the sexual assault of a 16-year-old boy.
The defendants were convicted on a two-count amended charge of indecent treatment of a child and sexual assault, following their guilty plea as part of a plea bargain agreement. The case, filed by the Lagos State Government, dates back to an incident in 2020 during which both men were accused of sexually violating the minor.
Originally arraigned on 23 November 2022, on a single charge of sexual assault by penetration, both Odinaka and Eze had pleaded not guilty.
However, during the trial, the prosecution presented compelling evidence, including testimony from the victim’s brother and guardian, Jonathan Inalegwu Ounche, who was instrumental in identifying and facilitating the arrest of the defendants.
The victim was later referred to the Women at Risk International Foundation, WARIF, for medical evaluation. A nurse from the organisation, Okoi Oluchi, testified and submitted a report by Dr Makanjuola, which confirmed physical injuries consistent with forced anal penetration, including bruises and abrasions.
Faced with overwhelming evidence, the defendants opted for a plea bargain through their legal counsel, Tolulope Banjo. The court consequently amended the original charge, and both defendants admitted guilt.
Justice Oshodi, upon verifying that the plea was made voluntarily and without coercion, convicted the two men. He sentenced each of them to seven years’ imprisonment for indecent treatment of a child and three years for sexual assault, to run consecutively.
The court ordered that their names be entered onto the national sex offenders register, reinforcing the Lagos judiciary’s commitment to justice and the protection of vulnerable persons.
