A cleric, Shakiru Oladosu has been sentenced to 21 years imprisonment for attempted sexual assault of a-13-year-old child.
Justice Rahman Oshodi sentenced the defendant after he pleaded guilty to the amended two-count charge of attempted sexual assault by penetration and indecent treatment of a child.
Delivering the judgement, the judge said the evidence before court deduced a pattern of predatory behaviour as the convict subjected the survivor into inappropriate touching and forced himself on her.
The trial judge said he breached the trust the parents of the survivor had in him for enrolling their children in the school.
The judge held that when the convict is confronted with his action, he seeks refuge in the often repeated phrase “it was the work of the devil”.
The trial judge said that religious leaders, teachers such as the convict held a sacred place in the society and when such individuals broke the trust placed in them by preying upon children, the court must respond with appropriate severity to reflect society’s condemnation and to deter others from committing similar acts.
Justice Oshodi stated, “…, you occupy a position of significant trust, that trust extended not only to the 13-year-old child, the one you victimised but also to her parents and the entire community who look to you for spiritual and moral guidance.
“You betrayed this trust in the most deplorable manner.”
The court sentenced the convict to 14 year imprisonment on count one and seven years jail term on count two respectively.
The judge held that the sentencing should run consecutively and the convict’s name be registered in the Sexual Offences Register maintained by Lagos State.
Defence Counsel, Mr. Nelson Onyejaka, in his allocutus, prayed the court to temper justice with mercy.
Onjejaka said the convict was a first timer and he has two wives to take care of.
He had prayed the court for leniency on the sentencing.
The Prosecution Counsel, Ms. Bukola Okeowo, however, prayed the court to sentence the convict accordingly.
Okeowo had told the court that the convict committed the offence between February and March, 2022 on Odusanmi Street, Mushin, Lagos.
The convict had pleaded not guilty when he was initially arraigned on March 17, 2023.
Then the prosecution had called two witnesses; the survivor and her father through whom compelling evidence were brought against the convict.
The prosecution, however, approached the court on September 6, 2024, that the convict had opted for plea bargain which led to the amended charge.
