A Lagos-based Arabic teacher, Oladosu Sakiru, has been sentenced to 21 years imprisonment for attempted sexual assault on a 13-year-old student.
Sakiru, who is also an Alfa (Muslim cleric) was jailed by Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court after he was found guilty on an amended two-count charge of attempted sexual assault by penetration, and indecent treatment of a child filed against him by the police.
The convict, who was re-arraigned before Justice Rahman Oshodi, was first arraigned on March 17, 2023, and had pleaded not guilty to the charge.
At the resumption of trial, the prosecution called two witnesses namely, the victim and her father, who both testified against the convict.
However, on Sept. 6, 2024, the convict opted to change his plea from not guilty to guilty.
The prosecution amended the charge, and consequently, informed the court of the position.
The convict, was then re-arranged, and this time, he pleaded guilty to the charge.
Delivering judgement on Tuesday, Justice Oshodi chided the convict for betraying the trust reposed on him by parents of the student, who enrolled their ward in the islamic school.
Justice Oshodi held that the evidences before the court showed a pattern of “predatory behavior”, since the convict subjected the female student to force, and inappropriate touch.
According to Oshodi, when the convict is confronted with his action, he seeks refuge in the often repeated phrase “it was the work of the devil.”
The court held that religious leaders and teachers like the convict occupy an important position in the society.
He held that when such individuals breach the trust of society, by “preying” on children, the court must respond with appropriate sanctions.
The court, held that this is to reflect society’s condemnation of such actions, and to deter others.
The court, consequently, held:
”Oladosu Shakiru, I have convicted you following your guilty plea of attempting to commit sexual assault by penetration and indecent treatment of a child.
“These offences are very serious and the facts of this case are alarming.
“As an imam and an arabic school teacher, you occupy a position of significant trust.
“That trust extended not only to the 13-year-old child, the one you victimised, but also to her parents and the entire community who look to you for spiritual and moral guidance.
“You betrayed this trust in the most deplorable manner,” he said .
The court, consequently, sentenced Sakiru to a term of 14 years imprisonment on count one, and seven years imprisonment on count two.
The judge held that the terms of imprisonment shall run consecutively.
The court also ordered that the name of the convict, be registered in the Lagos State Sexual Offences Register.
Earlier, in a plea for mercy on behalf of the convict, defence counsel, Mr Nelson Onyejaka, had begged the court to temper justice with mercy.
He had told the court that the convict was a first time offender, with two wives, and urged the court to be lenient with the sentence.
On her part. the prosecutor, Ms Bukola Okeowo, had however, prayed the court to sentence the convict accordingly.
According to the charge, the convict committed the offence between February and March, 2022 on Odusanmi Street in Mushin, Lagos.
