Headteacher gets double life sentences for defiling minors in Lagos

Justice Abiola Soladoye of the Lagos State Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court, Ikeja, on Tuesday sentenced a head teacher, Benjamin Ogba, to two life imprisonments for defiling two underage girls.

The victims were seven years old at the time of the incident.

The judge in her ruling held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond doubt to the satisfaction of the court.

Soladoye also held that the evidence of the defence witnesses were tainted with lies.

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

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

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

“This serial paedophile, a head teacher, 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.”

The judge also praised the two survivors for speaking in court against their assailant.

READ ALSO: Teacher, stepfather land in Kirikiri for defiling minors

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

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

“Continuous education and awareness of this issue of sexual menace must be at the forefront of all stakeholders in the administration of justice 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,” she added.

The prosecution told the court that the convict sometime between April and May 2019 at Shalom Private School, Oke-Ira Road, Ebute-Metta in Lagos, defiled the two survivors by having unlawful sexual intercourse with them.

The State Counsel, Olusola Soneye, said one of the girls however informed her mother and the case was reported at the station.

The offence, according to him, contravened the provisions of Section 137 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

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