Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court has sentenced two men, Chukwuka Odinaka and Ikechukwu Eze, to 10 years imprisonment each for the sexual assault of a minor.

The judge found them guilty on a two-count charge bordering on indecent treatment and sexual assault of a 16-year-old boy.

The state government had filed the suit against them, alleging that sometime in 2020, both defendants used their penises to penetrate the anus of the 16-year-old boy.

The defendants were initially arraigned on a charge of sexual assault by penetration on November 23, 2022, and they pleaded not guilty.

During the trial, the prosecution witness, Jonathan Inalegwu Ounche (PW1), the brother and guardian of the victim, provided crucial testimony.

And detailed his involvement in the arrest of the two defendants he had earlier identified.

He also told the court that after the report of the alleged offence, the victim was referred to the Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF) for a medical examination.

Also, the second witness, Okoi Oluchi (PW2), a nurse at WARIF, tendered the medical report prepared by Dr Makanjuola (exhibits A to A7). Oluchi told the court that the medical evaluation documented extensive evidence consistent with forcible anal penetration, including massive abrasions and bruises on the alleged victim’s anus.

However, the defendants did not present any evidence to refute the allegation, and they approached the prosecution through their counsel, Tolulope Banjo, for a plea bargain.

When the amended charge was read to Chukwuka and Ikechukwu, both defendants pleaded guilty.

Justice Oshodi, therefore, convicted and sentenced the defendants to 10 years imprisonment each, having found them guilty.

The court ordered that both sentences shall run consecutively, and their names should be registered as sex offenders.