Lagos man sentenced to 14 years in prison for raping 78-year-old woman

Justice Rahman Oshodi of a Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court in Ikeja on Friday sentenced a man, Lawal Moshod, to 14 years in prison for sexually abusing a now deceased 78-year-old woman (name withheld).

The judge convicted him of raping the woman.

Moshod had pleaded not guilty when arraigned by prosecutor BE Okeowo on May 13, 2022.

He was again arraigned on May 30, 2024, on charges of attempted sexual assault by penetration, contrary to Section 262 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State. Moshod pleaded guilty.

The judge asked the defendant whether he understood the content of his guilty plea and the court’s obligation to impose the maximum sentence for the charges.

The defendant admitted that he had voluntarily entered into the deal and was satisfied with the advice of his lawyer.

Okeowo urged the court to sentence the defendant in accordance with the agreement dated May 30, 2024.

Justice Oshodi said the accused was charged with rape pursuant to a complaint for evidence dated August 26, 2019, filed on September 9, 2019, and pleaded not guilty to the case on May 13, 2022.

“The defendant met the survivor, a 78-year-old woman who has since died, in Maryland on January 2, 2019. She was suffering from dementia and could not find her way home.

“The defendant offered her his help. As it turned out, it was a deliberate act of sexual abuse.

“The accused took the 78-year-old survivor to a remote area and raped her. A Good Samaritan heard her screaming and rushed to her aid.”

She was taken to the police station and it was confirmed that the survivor was bleeding from her private parts and had bruises on her face.

“She was later taken to Mirabel Medical Centre for examination. The result of the medical examination was recorded as Exhibit F, which documents physical trauma and forcible penetration of the survivor’s vagina.”

Prosecutor BE Okeowo informed the court that both parties had reached an agreement on the guilty plea and sentence dated 30 May 2024.

Oshodi asked the accused if he had anything to say to the court.

“Forgive me,” said Moshod.

The defendant’s lawyer, Oyebanji Yusuf, pleaded with the court to show mercy.

“He regrets what he has done. I ask this honorable court to do justice with mercy. He has committed a very serious offense considering the age of the victim.”