Rape: Ex-Exxon Mobil Engineer Bags 15 Years Jail Terms

Rape: Ex-Exxon Mobil Engineer Bags 15 Years Jail Terms

A former engineer with Exxon-Mobil Plc, James Onuoha, was today, sentenced to 15 years imprisonment without an option of fine, by an Igbosere High Court of Lagos State, for raping a14-year-old neighbour’s niece.

Justice Adedayo Akintoye, gave the convict the jail terms, while delivering judgment in charges brought against him by the Lagos State’s Department of Public Prosecution (DPP).

Prior to today’s conviction, the court had on January 14, 2020, adjourned till March 25, for judgment, after the parties adopted their final written addresses. But the judgment could not be delivered due to the Convid-19, pandemic which led to lockdown in March.

However judgment in the heinous act could not hold as scheduled, due to the dreaded Corona Virus pandemic. The situation that made Justice Akintoye, to sentenced the convict to 15 years jail term without an option of fine today. 

Before handing down the verdict today, the convict’s counsel, Dr Victor Olowonla, in his allocutus pleaded with the court to tender justice with mercy as he was a first time offender.

He said: “My lord, he is a first time offender, he is a family man with wife and children and also the bread winner of his family”.

“He has lost his job since this case came up, going by the circumstances of this case, I urge my lord to tender justice with mercy, ” Olowonla said.

Onouah 42, was arraigned by the Lagos State Government, for allegedly raping his tenant’s 14-year-old niece.

The convict was first arraigned in January 2016 at an Igbosere Chief Magistrates’ Court on a four-count charge of defilement.

He was kept in the Custody of Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Following his indictment by the DPP, the case was transferred to the High court for trial.

The state government accused Onuoha of committing the alleged offences on January 4, 2016, at 11:30 a.m., at 25, Samuel Amoore Street, Idowu Estate, Ike-Ira Nla, Ajah, Lagos.

The prosecution led by Dr. Jide Martins said the convict willfully had an unlawful sexual act with the teenager without her consent.

He told the court that the offences contravened Sections 134 (2), 135 (1), and is punishable under Sections 137 and 258 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Onuoha, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecution opened its case and called witnesses who includes the victim.

After the closing of prosecution case, Onuoha opened his defence and was led in evidence by his counsel, Dr Victor Olowonla.