On Tuesday, Justice Abiola Soladoye of the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court in Ikeja Lagos, sentenced Benjamin Ogba, a schoolteacher, to life in prison for defiling two young girls, both aged seven.
Justice Soladoye determined that the prosecution had proven the components of defilement beyond a reasonable doubt.
She concluded that the convict is a serial paedophile.
The defendant and his fellow defence witnesses were not truthful or credible in their testimony.
“Their testimony were a pack of lies, falling apart like a deck of cards.
“This serial paedophile, a headteacher who is supposed to teach his kids values, stooped so low and defiled the underage females; what a shame!
“This irresponsible and randy teacher who teaches his students nonsense, should be locked away,” she demanded.
The Judge complimented the two survivors for speaking up in court against their attacker.
She stated that sexual abuse must be disclosed.
Soladoye also asked parents not to stop reporting sexual abuse incidents to the right authorities.
To protect the rights of young children, all parties in the legal system must prioritise ongoing education and knowledge of sexual abuse.
“The defendant was found guilty of two counts of defilement and sentenced to life imprisonment for each.
The judge ordered that the sentencing run concurrently and the defendant’s name be registered in the Lagos State sex offences register.
During the trial, the state counsel, led by Olusola Soneye, summoned three witnesses and the defence counsel, four.
The prosecution claimed that the convict engaged in sexual intercourse with girls at Shalom Private School in Ebutte Metta, Lagos, from April to May 10, 2019.
The prosecution told the court that one of the girls alerted her mother, who reported the issue to the station.
