Man jailed 21 years for attempted rape of minor

A 33-year-old man, Chidi Isaiah, was, on Tuesday, sentenced to 21 years imprisonment by an Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court for attempting to sexually assault his neighbour’s 11-year-old daughter.
The judgment was handed down by Justice Abiola Sholadoye after the convict was re-arraigned on an amended charge.
The convict was first arraigned on February 15, 2021, on the charge of defilement, to which he pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution counsel, A.R. Abolade, informed the court that the defendant had agreed to a plea bargain.
The convict was re-arraigned on two counts of attempting to commit sexual assault by penetration and indecent treatment of a child.
According to the prosecution, the convict attempted to sexually assault the victim by attempting to have sexual intercourse with her.
The prosecution also stated that the convict indecently treated the victim by touching her body indecently.
The charge read, “Chidi Isaiah, on the 7th day of January, 2020, at about 1500 hours at No. 27, Logun Logun Area of Igbo Olomu, Owuti, Agric, Ikorodu in the Ikeja Judicial Division, did attempt to assault one (victim name withheld) (F) aged 11 years by attempting to have sexual intercourse with her.
“Chidi Isaiah, on the 7th day of January, 2020, at about 1500 hours at No. 27, Logun Logun Area of Igbo Olomu, Owuti, Agric, Ikorodu in the Ikeja Judicial Division, did indecently treat one (victim name withheld) (F) aged 11 years by touching her body indecently.”
The offences contravened Sections 262 and 135 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
He pleaded guilty to the amended charge.
Delivering the judgment after the plea had been taken, Justice Sholadoye declared, “A sentence of 14 years imprisonment for the offence of attempt to commit sexual assault by penetration and a sentence of 7 years imprisonment for the offence of indecent treatment of a child.
“A total of 21 years imprisonment shall commence on the 22nd of January, 2023, the day of remand. The sentences shall run consecutively.”