An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court has handed down a significant prison sentence to an 18-year-old for a grievous crime against a child.
Justice Served for a Heinous Crime
Presiding Judge, Justice Rahman Oshodi, sentenced Obisesan Saltan to a total of 10 years imprisonment for sexually assaulting a four-year-old girl. The sentence was delivered on Wednesday, following a plea bargain agreement.
The court ruled that Saltan will serve seven years for the indecent treatment of a child and an additional three years for sexual assault by penetration. Justice Oshodi ordered that the sentences run concurrently, starting from the date of his arrest.
The Case Details and Court Proceedings
The offence occurred on October 11, 2023, around 9:30 p.m. in the Gbagada area of Lagos State. The Lagos State Government (LASG) first arraigned Saltan on November 25, 2025, where he initially entered a plea of not guilty.
The case took a turn during subsequent hearings as prosecution witnesses presented evidence against him. This led to a plea bargain agreement on November 4, 2024. During the final proceedings, Saltan confirmed to the court that he understood and accepted the terms of this agreement.
Plea for Leniency and Judicial Mandate
Saltan's lawyer, Adegboyega, appealed to the court for mercy. He highlighted that his client lost his mother as a baby and had been learning shoemaking as a trade to build a better future.
However, the counsel for the Lagos State Government, Bukola Okeowo, urged the court to uphold the plea agreement strictly. She also requested the mandatory legal action of registering the convict's name in the Lagos State Sex Offenders Register, as stipulated by the Sexual Offences Law (2015 amendment).
In his verdict, Justice Oshodi agreed with the prosecution's request. He ordered the inclusion of Obisesan Saltan's name in the sexual offenders' register, ensuring a permanent record of his crime as mandated by law.
