Guardian jailed 10 years for sexual assault of minor

Dele Johnson has been sentenced to 10 years in prison by the Special Offences and Domestic Violence Court, Ikeja, Lagos for indecent treatment of a child and sexual assault.

Justice Rahmon Oshodi delivered the sentence on May 8, 2024, after finding Johnson guilty on both counts, as outlined in Sections 135, C. 17, Vol 3, and 263 C.17, Vol 3, of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

Johnson was accused of physically assaulting Hawawu Hammed, who lived with him, by severely beating her and causing scars on her body. He also sexually assaulted her for two years before being reported and arrested by the police.

When arraigned on May 10, 2021, he admitted and pleaded guilty to the two counts.

During the trial, the prosecution, led by B.E. Okeowo, presented a compelling case. The victim, aged 17, testified, describing the incident and identifying Johnson as the perpetrator. Justice Oshodi described Johnson’s actions as “morally reprehensible and illegal,” noting that they took place over an extended period before his arrest.

However, Johnson pleaded guilty and accepted responsibility.

Justice Oshodi found him guilty of the two counts and sentenced him to 10 years in prison, with seven years for indecent treatment of a child and three years for sexually assaulting a minor. Johnson was immediately taken to the Ikoyi Correctional Centre to serve his sentence concurrently and will be registered as a sex offender in the Lagos State Sex Offender Register.