The Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court sitting in the Ikeja area of Lagos State has sentenced a teacher, John Osifo, to life imprisonment for defiling an eight-year-old pupil.
Delivering judgement on Monday, December 9, 2024, Justice Rahman Oshodi held that the prosecution proved the charge of defilement against Osifo beyond every reasonable doubt.
Justice Oshodi noted that the teacher bridged the trust that was entrusted into his hands by defiling the pupil.
He said the evidence of the survivor was corroborated by her mother’s evidence, adding that medical examination revealed an absence of hymen.
He stated that Osifo exploited the vulnerability of the eight-year-old girl under his care to defile her.
The judge said: “John Osifo, the gravity of your offence cannot be overstated.
“As a teacher, you are in a position of trust that you bridged.
“You did not only exploit the vulnerability of an eight-year-old child under your care, you also took advantage of the COVID-19 lockdown.
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“Instead of showing remorse you chose to fabricate a lie and false accusations alleging that the mother of the survivor tried to seduce you.”
Justice Oshodi thereafter sentenced the teacher to life imprisonment and ordered that his name be registered in the sexual offences register of Lagos State.
The prosecution, led by Babajide Boye, called three witnesses – the survivor, the survivor’s mother and a medical doctor – while the defence called eight witnesses during trial.
The prosecution told the court that the teacher committed the offence in May 2020 and June 2021 on Vissol Street, Jejelaye in Ajangbadi and Marifod Private School, Ajangbadi, Lagos State.
The prosecution said Osifo, who also served as a home lesson teacher for the minor during COVID-19, had unlawful sexual intercourse with the girl.
The prosecutor added that the offence contravened Section 137 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
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