Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos State Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court, Ikeja, has sentenced Lawal Moshod to 14 years in prison for the sexual assault of a 78-year-old woman.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the victim, who suffered from dementia, has since passed away.
The case reached a conclusion on Friday when Justice Oshodi convicted Moshod after he admitted guilt to an amended charge of attempting to commit sexual assault by penetration, a violation of Section 262 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.
Initially, Moshod had pleaded not guilty when first arraigned on May 13.
However, during a re-arraignment on May 30, 2024, he changed his plea to guilty, following a plea bargain agreement between the prosecution and the defense.
Justice Oshodi, in delivering his judgment, emphasized the severity of the crime and the lasting impact on the victim’s family.
“One can imagine the pain, suffering, and anguish inflicted on a 78-year-old woman who suffered from dementia.
Her family will live with that painful reality,” he stated.
The judge ordered that Moshod’s 14-year sentence be backdated to January 2, 2019, the date of his initial remand.
The details of the case were harrowing. Prosecutor Bolu Okeowo recounted how, on January 2, 2019, the defendant encountered the elderly victim in Maryland, Lagos.
The woman, disoriented and unable to find her way home due to her dementia, was approached by Moshod under the guise of offering help.
Instead, he led her to a secluded area and assaulted her. Her cries for help were eventually heard by passersby, who intervened and rescued her.
The victim was subsequently taken to a police station where it was confirmed she had sustained severe injuries, including bleeding from her private parts and bruises on her face.
A medical examination at the Mirabel Medical Center further documented the physical trauma and confirmed forceful penetration.
During the trial, the prosecution presented two witnesses and several exhibits to substantiate the charges against Moshod.
Okeowo urged the court to uphold the plea bargain agreement, which stipulated the 14-year sentence, emphasizing that the agreement did not diminish the gravity of Moshod’s offense.
The defense counsel, Oyebanji Yusuf, appealed for leniency, citing Moshod’s remorse and the grievous nature of his crime.
Despite the plea for mercy, the court maintained the sentence as agreed in the plea bargain.
Justice Oshodi also ordered that Moshod’s name be included in the Lagos State Sexual Offenders Register, a move intended to serve as a deterrent to potential offenders.
“This verdict sends a powerful message that sexual abuse will not be tolerated in our society,” Okeowo remarked.
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