A Lagos State schoolteacher named John Osifo was given a life sentence by an Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court for defiling an eight-year-old student in his charge.
The prosecution had proven the case beyond a reasonable doubt, according to Justice Rahman Oshodi, who handed down the ruling on Monday.
The judge emphasised how Osifo had betrayed the confidence that had been placed in him by taking advantage of the child’s weakness.
The court’s ruling was heavily influenced by the survivor’s testimony, her mother’s supporting documentation, and a medical examination that showed no hymen.
“This heinous act betrayed the trust reposed in the convict as a teacher,” Justice Oshodi said.
“John Osifo, the severity of your offence cannot be overstated.
“As a teacher, you held a position of trust—a trust you betrayed. You exploited the vulnerability of an eight-year-old child under your care and further took advantage of the COVID-19 lockdown to commit your crime.
“Rather than demonstrate remorse for your actions, you chose to fabricate lies and level false accusations, claiming that the survivor’s mother attempted to seduce you.
“This shows a blatant disregard for accountability,” Justice Oshodi stated.
The defendant was placed in Lagos State’s Sexual Offenders Register and given a life sentence by the court.
Three witnesses were called by the prosecution, led by Mr Babajide Boye, throughout the trial: the survivor, her mother, and a medical professional. To refute the accusations, however, the defence called eight witnesses.
The prosecution claims that the offender committed the crime at two different locations—Vissol Street, Jejelaye, in Ajangbadi, and Marifod Private School, both in Ajangbadi, Lagos—between May 2020 and June 2021.
The prosecution disclosed that the convicted individual, who was the minor’s home lesson teacher during the COVID-19 lockdown, had sex with her without permission.
Section 137 of the Lagos State Criminal Laws of 2015 was broken by the offence.