On Tuesday, Justice Abiola Soladoye of the Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court sentenced Benjamin Ogba, a head teacher, to life in prison for defiling two young girls, both seven years old.
The judge ruled that the prosecution proved the case beyond a reasonable doubt, with sufficient evidence of defilement to satisfy the court.
She ruled that the defence witnesses’ testimony was tainted with lies, which were not credible.
Soladoye called the convict a “serial paedophile” and his testimony a “pack of lies.”
She said: “The convict and his fellow defence witnesses were not truthful and credible in their testimonies, during the trial. 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,” she ruled.
The judge also applauded the two survivors for having the fortitude to testify in court against their perpetrator.
She stated that all forms of sexual abuse should be reported rather than ignored.
Soladoye also asked parents not to stop reporting sexual abuse incidents to the right 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 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 registered in the Sex Offences Register as maintained by the Lagos State,” she said.
During the trial, the state prosecution lawyer, Mr. Olusola Soneye, brought three witnesses while the defense counsel summoned four.
According to the prosecutor, the defendant committed the offense between April and May 10, 2019, at Shalom Private School on Oke-Ira Road in Ebutte Metta, Lagos.
He claimed Ogba defiled the two survivors by engaging in unlawful sexual contact with them.
The prosecution also told the court that one of the girls alerted her mother, who reported the issue to the police station.
According to the prosecution, the offense violated Section 137 of Lagos State’s Criminal Laws, 2015.
