Teacher bags double life imprisonment for raping minors

The Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court sitting in the Ikeja area of Lagos State has sentenced a teacher, Benjamin Ogba, to double life imprisonment for defiling two underage girls, both seven years.

The presiding judge, Justice Abiola Soladoye, on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, held that the prosecution proved its case beyond doubt to the satisfaction of the court.

Justice Soladoye said the evidence of the defence witnesses was tainted with lies, which she said did not hold water.

According to her, the convict is a serial paedophile and his testimonies are a pack of lies.

The judge said: “The defendant and his fellow defence witnesses were not truthful and credible in their testimonies.

“Their testimonies were pack of lies and fell asunder like a pack of cards.

“This serial paedophile, a headteacher, who is expected to teach his students morals, stooped so low and defiled the underage girls, what a shame!

“This irresponsible and randy teacher, who teaches his students nonsense, should be locked away.”

Justice Soladoye also commended the two survivors for their courage in speaking up in court against their assailant.

She said sexual abuse of any sort must be reported and not swept under the carpet.

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Justice Soladoye further urged parents not to relent in reporting sexual abuse cases to the appropriate authorities.

The judge added: “Continuous education and awareness of this issue of sexual menace must be at the forefront of all stakeholders in the administration of justice so as to advocate for the rights of young children.

“The defendant, having been found guilty of the two counts bordering on defilement, is hereby sentenced to life imprisonment on each of the counts.

“The sentencing will however run concurrently and his name be registered in the sex offences register as maintained by Lagos State.”

The State Counsel, led by Olusola Soneye, called three witnesses while the defence counsel called four witnesses during the trial.

The prosecutor told the court that the teacher, in the months of April and May 10, 2019, at Shalom Private School, Oke-Ira Road, Ebutte Metta in Lagos, defiled the two girls by having unlawful sexual intercourse with them.

The prosecutor told the court that one of the girls informed her mother and the case was reported at the station.

According to the prosecutor, the offence contravenes the provisions of Section 137 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

The Star