Justice Sybil Nwaka has slammed a 60-year jail term with hard labour on a man who defiled a twelve-year-old primary school pupil.
The conviction of Obinna Izegben, 58, is the first since the inauguration of the special and sexual offences court on February 1, 2018.
Justice Nwaka found Izegben guilty of the charge of defilement brought against him by the Lagos State government.
She said,
“This defendant is charged with the offence of defilement of a child, contrary to section 137 of the Criminal law of Lagos State, 2015.
“Upon his plea of guilty, the Prosecution stated the fact of the case and it was established that he was found guilty of the offence.
“I cannot agree less with the Prosecution Counsel because of the rate at which men in large number defile children.
Justice Nwaka further said that children are no longer save with uncles, teachers and even fathers, adding
“This is sad
“I encourage children to come out and report all cases of assault and defilement against them. The State of Lagos has zero tolerance for defilement.
“I hereby sentence the defendant to 60 years imprisonment with hard labour.”
The convict was arraigned on February 12, alongside two others, Raimi Jimoh (1st defendant) and Kazeem Arowolo Olohunwa (2nd defendant) on a three-count charge bothering on defilement.
He pleaded guilty while the two others denied the charge.
The prosecution, led by Mr. B.T. Boye, said the convict on several occasions had sexual intercourse with a 12-year-old primary school pupil referred to as Child X.
Boye said,
“On 17th of June, it was observed by the school authority that Child X, a pupil at a town in Orimedu, Ibeju Lekki, Lagos was in the habit of returning late to the class after lunch hour and upon enquiry, the child admitted that the 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants have been having sexual intercourse with her during the break time.
“The matter was reported at the police station in Ibeju-Lekki and Child X identified the defendants and the convict as the person who often defile her during her break period.”
