Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) has hailed Monday’s court judgment sentencing a 50-year-old trader, Chukwukemeka Ejike, to 14 years in prison for attempting to defile a nine-year-old girl.

DSVA commended the judgment in a statement it posted on Tuesday on its official X handle @LSdsva.

It stated that justice had been served after the court found Ejike guilty of the offence and consequently sentenced him.

The agency called on Lagos residents to continue to break the culture of silence by reporting cases of all forms of abuse through the toll-free number 08000-333-333.

Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court, on Monday, sentenced Mr Ejike to 14 years’ imprisonment for attempting to assault a nine-year-old girl sexually.

The judge sentenced Ejike following his guilty plea to an amended charge of attempted sexual assault by penetration.

Mr Ejike admitted guilt under a plea bargain agreement.

Mr Oshodi noted that Mr Ejike had pleaded not guilty to a defilement charge on arraignment on July 30, 2021, adding that three prosecution witnesses had testified against him.

He said the victim, her father and a medical doctor had testified against Mr Ejike.

“However, when the case was called today, the prosecution informed the court that the defendant had opted for a plea bargain and he was re-arraigned on an amended information dated January 4,” the judge said.

Mr Oshodi added that evidence presented by the prosecution established an attempt by Ejike to commit sexual assault by penetration against the minor.

“I hereby find the defendant guilty as charged. You have done a terrible thing. I do not understand what you want from a child,” the judge said.

Mr Oshodi directed that Mr Ejike’s name be put in the Lagos State Sexual Offences Register.

According to the Lagos government, which prosecuted the case, Mr Ejike attempted to have sexual intercourse with the minor in contravention of section 262 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. 

(NAN)