LAGOS MAY 21ST (NEWSRANGERS)-Justice Abiola Soladoye of the Lagos State Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court, sitting in Ikeja, has convicted and sentenced a school proprietor, Benson Arinze, to life imprisonment for sexually assaulting a six-year-old pupil.
The judge who delivered the judgement on Wednesday handed down the verdict after finding Arinze guilty of a one-count charge bordering on defilement of a minor.
Shortly after the court’s pronouncement, the convict burst into tears.
The survivor, whose identity was withheld, was a pupil of Nurtured Brooks Nursery and Primary School, Ibeju-Lekki, owned by the convict.
The state prosecution counsel, O.E. Adeoye, told the court that the incident occurred in 2022 when the child usually remained in school after closing hours pending the arrival of her parents.
According to the prosecution, “Arinze took advantage of the period the child stayed behind after school to sexually assault her.”
The court heard that Arinze allegedly inserted his finger into the victim’s vagina while one of his teachers, Victor Ezenwata, allegedly rubbed his penis on the child’s private part.
Trouble started when the victim’s mother noticed unusual behaviour from her daughter and questioned her about it.
The child subsequently disclosed “the repeated sexual abuse she had been subjected to within the school premises.”
The matter was thereafter reported to the Elemoro Police Station by the victim’s father.
Arinze was initially arraigned alongside Ezenwata on charges bordering on sexual assault by penetration of a six-year-old child contrary to Section 261 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Ezenwata, on his part, faced a three-count charge bordering on sexual assault by penetration, unlawful sexual intercourse and indecent treatment of a child, contrary to Section 135 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.
During the proceedings, Ezenwata, through his counsel, Spurgeon Ataene, applied for a plea bargain.
Following the application, an amended charge dated May 27, 2025, was read to him, and he pleaded guilty to the offences.
The court subsequently convicted and sentenced him to 18 years’ imprisonment.
Arinze, however, maintained throughout the trial that he was innocent of the allegations preferred against him.
In her judgement, Justice Soladoye held that the evidence led by the prosecution established the guilt of the convict beyond a reasonable doubt.
The judge stated, “The testimonies of PW1 and PW2 were clear, direct and compelling. They provided sufficient evidence linking the convict to the offence charged.”
She further held that “the evidence adduced by the defence witnesses was merely self-serving and failed to discredit the case of the prosecution.”
The prosecution called two witnesses during the trial.
After convicting Arinze, the court sentenced him to life imprisonment and further ordered that his name be entered into the Lagos State Sexual Offenders Register.
Punch
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