On Wednesday, a Lagos State Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court in Ikeja convicted and sentenced a man, Bamidele Folorunsho, to ten years in jail for indecent treatment and sexual assault of a juvenile by touching her anus and caressing her breasts.
Justice Rahman Oshodi, who delivered the verdict, found Folorunsho guilty of two revised counts brought against him by the Lagos State Government.
The offender, who was first accused with defilement of a 12-year-old child in February 2018, was arraigned in October 2021 and pleaded not guilty.
However, when the issue came up on Wednesday, O. Aluko, the state’s prosecution attorney, informed the court that the convict had agreed to a plea deal.Folorunsho was then re-arrested on two modified counts of indecent treatment (rubbing the victim’s anus with his hands) and sexual assault (fondling her breasts with his hands).
The prosecutor, Aluko, notified the court that both parties had reached a plea and punishment agreement on December 12, 2024.
Aluko informed the court that Dr. Babajide Martins, the Director of Public Prosecutions, had approved a 10-year prison term.
“My Lord, the prosecution did not call any witnesses before Folorunsho accepted the plea bargain agreement and he was remanded on March 22, 2018,” she told the jury.
Aluko stated that the plea deal required the filing of an updated charge.
The judge questioned Folorunsho if he understood the wording of his guilty plea and the court’s obligation to impose the maximum penalty for the offenses.
Folorunsho admitted that he entered into the plea deal voluntarily and under caution, and that he was happy with the advice of his lawyers.
M.I Alagbala, the defense attorney, stated, “We apply for a plea bargain for Folorunsho, and we beg the court to grant the plea bargain.”
The convict pleaded guilty to the amended charge, which violated Sections 135 and 263 of the Lagos State Criminal Law of 2015. Justice Oshodi sentenced him to 10 years in prison after a careful review of the plea bargain agreement and evidence.
