By Felix Kuyinu
A school teacher, John Osifo, has been convicted for raping an eight-year-old pupil in Lagos.
Osifo, on a charge of defilement, was sentenced to life imprisonment by Justice Rahman Oshodi during his arraignment at the the Lagos Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court in Ikeja on Monday.
During the procedings, the jailer, a teacher at Marifod Private School, Ajangbadi, was said to have commited the offence while being a home lesson teacher to the victim during the COVID-19 lockdown in May 2020 and June 2021.
While delivering the judgement, Oshodi said that the convict breached the trust entrusted into his hands by the parents of the victim. He added that the evidence of the survivor was corroborated by her mother’s exhibit.
He also disclosed that the medical examination conducted on the victim revealed absence of hymen.
“John Osifo, the gravity of your offence cannot be overstated. As a teacher, you are in a position of trust that you breached,” the judge said.
“You did not only exploit the vulnerability of an eight-year-old child under your care, but you also took advantage of the COVID-19 lockdown.
“Instead of showing remorse, you chose to fabricate a lie and false accusations alleging that the mother of the survivor tried to seduce you.”
“This court is sentencing you to life imprisonment for your offence, and also ordering that your name be registered in the sexual offenses register of Lagos State.”
