A Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos has sentenced a middle-aged man, Sunday Nwokolo to life imprisonment for defiling a 12 year old girl.
Justice Ramon Oshodi, who had on December 12, 2022 convicted Nwokolo on one count charge of defilement sentenced the defendant to life imprisonment after review of his allocutus.
The judge however expressed misgiving about Section 137 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos, ACJL which in a way tied the hands of the judges by prescribing mandatory sentence of life imprisonment for offenders without any discretion to a siting judge.
He also called on lawyers requesting mercy to approach the lawmakers to see the possibility of amending that section of the law.
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According to the judge, the legislature made it difficult for the courts because it has no discretion in this case, except the lawmakers amends the law.
Before sentencing, the judge requested the defender to address the court. Sunday Nwokolo who was seen weeping in the dock however begged for mercy.
His lawyer, Chris Mbajike also pleaded with the judge to tamper justice with mercy.
According to him, the defendant is a first time offender and a law abiding citizen who has also shown remorse.
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The prosecuting counsel, Bukola Elizabeth Okeowo however urged the court to uphold section 137 of the ACJL and sentence the defendant accordingly.
In his judgement, Justice Ramon Oshodi said the victim in this case was 12 years when the incident happened.
The judge quoted the defendant as saying that the police at Agboju Police Station forced him to write several statements which were torn into shreds until he wrote what they wanted and that the police threatened him about the fate of those who failed to do so according to their bidding.
The judge who spoke about inconsistencies in his statement said the defendant embarked on a mission to defame the Nigeria Police Force with uncoordinated lies.
