Man sentenced to 17 years for sexually assaulting neighbour’s granddaughter
A man, Sunday Okoronkwo, has been sentenced to 17 years imprisonment by Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court in Ikeja for sexually assaulting his neighbour’s seven-year-old granddaughter.
The sentencing followed Okoronkwo’s plea bargain agreement with the prosecution in the case. Okoronkwo was re-arraigned on a two-count amended charge of attempted sexual assault by penetration and sexual assault.
In his verdict, Justice Oshodi stated that he was satisfied the convict fully understood the nature and gravity of the allegations against him, as well as the terms of the plea bargain.
The judge highlighted the severity of the offences, noting that Okoronkwo had sexually assaulted a young child, the granddaughter of his neighbour.
“The prosecutrix’s evidence, corroborated by your confessions, established that you had sexual intercourse with her. You chose to enter into a plea bargain agreement, pleading guilty to attempting to commit sexual assault by penetration and sexual assault,” Justice Oshodi said.
He further explained that the maximum sentence for attempted sexual assault by penetration is 14 years imprisonment, while sexual assault carries a maximum term of three years.
The court sentenced Okoronkwo to 14 years for the attempted sexual assault by penetration and an additional three years for sexual assault, with the sentences to run consecutively from December 14, 2018, when the convict was first remanded in custody.
Justice Oshodi urged Okoronkwo to use his time in prison constructively by participating in rehabilitation programmes, particularly those addressing sexual offending behaviour.
