Lagos State: Man Sentenced To 10 Years Behind Bars For Fondling The Breasts Of A 12-Year-Old Girl

A Lagos State S*xual Offences and Domestic Violence Court in Ikeja has convicted and sentenced Bamidele Folorunsho to 10 years imprisonment for indecent treatment and s*xual assault of a minor.

Justice Rahman Oshodi delivered the verdict on December 11, finding Folorunsho guilty of two amended counts brought by the Lagos State Government.

Folorunsho was initially charged with defilement in February 2018, but pleaded not guilty when arraigned in October 2021. However, he opted for a plea bargain, which led to him being re-arraigned on two new charges of indecent treatment and s*xual assault.

The prosecution counsel, O. Aluko, informed the court that both parties had entered a plea and sentence agreement, which was approved by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Dr. Babajide Martins. The agreed sentence was 10 years imprisonment.

Folorunsho admitted to understanding the contents of his guilty plea and the obligation of the court to impose maximum sentences. His defense counsel, M.I Alagbala, applied for the plea bargain to be accepted.

The amended charge was read to Folorunsho, and he pleaded guilty. The offenses he committed contravened Sections 135 and 263 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.

Justice Oshodi sentenced Folorunsho to 10 years imprisonment, stating that she had found him guilty based on his plea and had considered the plea bargain agreement and his show of remorse. The sentence will commence from March 22, 2018, and Folorunsho’s name will be registered as a s*x offender.