By Huldah Shado
Chukwunonso Okafor, a 25-year-old teacher, has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court for the sexual abuse of a three-year-old child at his workplace.
Justice Abiola Soladoye convicted Okafor on three counts, affirming that the prosecution had successfully established its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
For the first count of sexual assault-specifically for inserting his penis into the victim’s vagina-Okafor received a life sentence, in violation of Section 261 of the Criminal Law, Chapter 17, Volume 3, Laws of Lagos State 2015.
The second count, defilement, also warranted a life sentence under Section 137 of the same law.
The third count carried a seven-year imprisonment term under Section 135; however, all sentences will run concurrently.
In her ruling, Justice Soladoye stated, “You descended so low by having oral sex with your victim. Your actions are barbaric.”
The judge declared, “The defendant is hereby found guilty of the three counts of sexual assault against a child and is sentenced to life imprisonment.”
The offences occurred between July and December 2022 in Abaranje, Ikotun, Lagos State, where Okafor was employed as a teacher.
The victim testified that Okafor had engaged in acts of sexual abuse, including inappropriate touching and penetration.