A Lagos Special Offences Court, sitting in Ikeja, has sentenced a 52 years old man, Akin Isaac, to 21 years imprisonment for defilement of his daughter.
The court sentenced Isaac to 21 years imprisonment following his plea of guilty to the one count charge brought against him by the State government.
The convict was accused of sleeping with his daughter since she was age six to 18 years.
The prosecution counsel, Mrs Omowumi Bajulaye-Bishi had told court that, “Isaac who resides at No 2b Akinlagbe Street Alapere did defile his daughter from age six to age 18 by having unlawful sexual intercourse with his daughter.”
His offence according to the prosection, contrary to Section 137 of the Criminal Law Cap C.17 Vol. 3 Laws of Lagos State 2015.h
While delivering judgment on the plea bargain agreement the convict signed with the state, the judge said the 21 years proposed sentenced by the ministry of justice was too small to the offence which carried life imprisonment.
” I knew this case very well, I could remember the survivor was crying when giving evidence before the court that she had abortion and how defendant was beaten her.
“The prosecution had called four witnesses to testified against the defendant. The defendant initially pleaded not guilty, ” Justice Taiwo said.
Justice Taiwo, therefore, directed the registrar to put the defendant in the witness box to go through process of plea bargain wherein he was asked whether he was forced or coerced by anybody whatsoever to change his plea from not guilty to guilty
Isaac answered that he decided to change his plea. He started pleading with the court to have mercy on him.
The defendant through his Plea Bargain application dated the 21st of April, 2022 applied and concluded to change his plea.
Bajulaye-Bishi, therefore, review the facts of the case. She said that between 2014 and 2020, the defendant was having unlawful sexual intercourse with his daughter which resulted into at least one pregnancy.
“The defendant also attempted to procure abortion for her and regularly administer drugs to her to prevent pregnancy.
“Trial commenced on February 7, 2022 in which the prosecution called 4 witnesses before defendant, approached the prosecution to change his plea.
” Having shown remorse for his action and he pleaded guilty to the offence of Indecent Treatment of a Child contrary to Section 135 of the Criminal Law Cap C.17 Vol. 3 Laws of Lagos State 2015.
“The court also note that the defendant agreed to plea bargaining agreement which earned him lesser sentence of 21 years, ” the court held.
The court therefore admitted his plea of guilty and sentenced him to 21 years imprisonment.
