Couple Jailed 11 Years For S3xual Assault Of Their Housemaid

A couple has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for s*xually assaulting their 15-year-old housemaid in Lagos.

On Monday, July 2, the Ikeja Sxual Offences and Domestic Violence Court arraigned and sentenced Ezimora Okechukwu, 49, to seven years and three years consecutively for indecent handling and sxual assault, and his wife, Ezimora Obioma, to one year of community service for concealing the act of sexual assault committed against their housemaid.

According to the prosecution counsel, the couple’s actions violate Sections 135 (1), 163, and 415 of Lagos State’s Criminal Law.

The court heard that the event occurred on July 17, 2022, at the convicts’ house in the Abule-Osun district of Lagos.

Okechukwu allegedly indecently handled, touched, and s*xually assaulted the girl, who was a 15-year-old housemaid at the time.

The victim revealed the horrible deed to Obioma, who concealed it but did not report it to the authorities.

Their amended charge read, “Felony contrary to Section 135(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. Did you, Ezimora Okechukwu, on July 17, 2022, at No 9, Block 19, Divine Height Street, Abule Osun, Lagos State, indecently handle a victim, a 15-year-old, by caressing her breast?”

“Sxual assault contrary to Section 163 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State. Did you Ezimora Okechukwu sxually assault the victim?”

“Accessory after the fact of felony contrary to Section 415 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State. Did you Ezimora Obioma, fail to notify police when the victim age 15 years, reported to you that one Ezimora Okechukwu had s*xual intercourse with her.”

Both offenders pleaded guilty to these counts.

The first defendant’s charge, which was, “Defilement contrary to Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015, was reduced after he applied for a plea bargain through his counsel. He and his wife were then granted a lesser charge and sentence.

The prosecution counsel attested to this saying, “The Honourable Attorney General considered the request on the grounds that the defendants showed remorse for their actions, were first-time offenders with no previous convictions and the impact of the conviction on the second defendant and her four young children.”

He further stated, “The Attorney General then accepted that the 2nd defendant be sentenced to a conditional discharge of one-year community service.”

Justice Ramon Oshodi delivered his judgement, ruling that the couple’s actions were reprehensible.

“The first defendant stands accused of a heinous act, the defilement of a vulnerable housemaid who found shelter under his roof. The second defendant, rather than being a protector or seeking justice, the second defendant is said to have become an accomplice in silence and an accessory, she stands accused of disregarding the victim’s right by concealing the alleged crime even after the occurrence. These allegations paint a picture of the horror of abuse of power and moral failure challenging our society’s most fundamental principle of care and trust,” he held.

He then sentenced the first defendant, Okechukwu, to seven years for indecent handling and three years for sexually abusing the victim, both of which will run consecutively, as well as Obioma to one year of community service.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli