Bellla Ifasola
Lagos – A school headteacher and suspected paedophile in Nigeria’s Lagos State has bagged two life sentences.
The Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court sentenced Benjamin Ogba to two life sentences for defiling two underaged girls, both seven years old.
Justice Abiola Soladoye held that the prosecution had proven its case beyond doubt to the satisfaction of the court, and noted that the evidence of the defence witnesses was tainted with lies, which did not hold water.
According to her, the convict is a serial paedophile, and his testimonies are a pack of lies.
She ruled: “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 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.”
The Judge also praised the two survivors for their courage to have spoken up in court against the sex offender.
Soladoye said that sexual abuse of any sort must be reported and not swept under the carpet.
She 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.”
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the State Counsel, led by Mr Olusola Soneye, called three witnesses while the defence counsel called four witnesses during trial.
The prosecution submitted that the convict, sometime in the months of April and May 10, 2019, at Shalom Private School, Oke-Ira Road, Ebutte Metta in Lagos, the defendant defiled the two survivors by having unlawful sexual intercourse with them.
The prosecutor told the court that one of the girls however, informed her mother and the case was reported at the station.
According to the prosecution, the offence contravenes the provisions of Section 137 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.