A Lagos State Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court in Ikeja has sentenced a school proprietor, Benson Arinze, to life imprisonment for sexually abusing a six-year-old pupil.
Justice Abiola Soladoye delivered the judgment on Wednesday after finding the defendant guilty of defiling the minor.
Arinze, who owns Nurtured Brooks Nursery and Primary School in the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos, was said to have committed the offence in 2022.
According to the prosecution counsel, O.E. Adeoye, the child usually stayed behind after school hours while waiting for her parents, during which the convict allegedly took advantage of the situation to abuse her.
The case was reported after the victim’s mother observed unusual behaviour in the child and questioned her, leading to the disclosure of the alleged abuse.
The matter was subsequently reported to the Elemoro Police Station by the victim’s father.
Arinze was initially arraigned alongside one of his teachers, Victor Ezenwata, on charges related to child sexual abuse under the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
During the proceedings, Ezenwata entered into a plea bargain through his counsel, Spurgeon Ataene, and pleaded guilty to amended charges brought against him.
The court thereafter sentenced him to 18 years imprisonment.
Arinze, however, denied the allegations throughout the trial.
In her judgment, Justice Soladoye held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, relying on the testimonies and evidence presented before the court.
“The testimonies of the prosecution witnesses were clear and convincing,” the judge ruled, adding that the defence failed to weaken the prosecution’s case.
Following the conviction, the court also directed that Arinze’s name be included in the Lagos State Sexual Offenders Register.