In a recent court ruling at the Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court, a 35-year-old security guard was sentenced to seven years in prison for indecent treatment and assault of a 13-year-old girl. The convict was found guilty of the charges, although he was acquitted of defilement.
The incident took place in May 2017 at the workplace of the security guard, where he indecently assaulted the teenager. The prosecution presented evidence that led to the conviction based on relevant sections of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. The convict denied the charges but was found guilty after a trial that included witness testimonies.
The court emphasized the seriousness of the crimes committed, particularly noting the exploitation of a vulnerable young girl. Despite being a first-time offender, the judge considered the aggravating factors more significant than the mitigating ones. As a result, the security guard was sentenced to seven years for indecent treatment and one year for assault, with the terms to be served concurrently.
Additionally, the court ordered the convict’s name to be added to the Sexual Offenders Register maintained by the state government. This action was taken in consideration of the time the convict had already spent in custody since his arrest in May 2017.