Driver bags 12 years imprisonment for defilement

A 37-year-old driver, Femi Tonade, has been sentenced by an Ikeja Chief Magistrate’s Court to 12 years in prison for defiling a 14-year-old housekeeper of his employer.

The magistrate, Kudirat Jose, in the judgment held that the evidence of the minor against the defendant was cogent and believable and that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

The prosecution counsel, Mrs. A. B. Awosika had told the court that while the victim was in her employer’s building cleaning, the convict “crept upstairs, physically restrained the housekeeper and had forceful carnal knowledge of her.”

The prosecutor said the complainant confided in her employer about the defilement the following day, and it was promptly reported to the authorities.

Subsequent medical examinations confirmed that the housekeeper was defiled, she added.

She said the offence violated Section 137 of the Criminal Code of Lagos State.

After hearing the defendant’s allocutus, the magistrate held: “It is easy to plead for people but it is easier for people to offend. You just don’t see a child and decide to have forceful carnal knowledge of her.

“Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos recommends a term of life in prison for the offence of defilement. However, the court is going to be lenient.”