On Tuesday, Justice Abiola Soladoye of the Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court sentenced head teacher Benjamin Ogba to life imprisonment for defiling two seven-year-old girls. The judge ruled that the prosecution successfully proved the case beyond a reasonable doubt, citing strong evidence of defilement.
Justice Soladoye dismissed the defense witnesses’ testimonies as deceitful and unconvincing, referring to Ogba as a “serial paedophile” whose claims were a “pack of lies.”
“The convict, a head teacher entrusted with the duty of teaching morals, stooped so low as to defile innocent underage girls. His actions are shameful,” the judge remarked. She added that Ogba’s behavior was deplorable and deserved punishment.
The court also praised the bravery of the two young survivors for speaking out against their abuser and emphasized the importance of reporting sexual abuse. Justice Soladoye called on parents to remain vigilant and report such cases to the authorities without hesitation. She stressed the need for continued education and awareness about sexual abuse to protect the rights of children.
Ogba was sentenced to life imprisonment on two counts of defilement, with the sentences to run concurrently. His name will also be registered in the Lagos State Sex Offenders Register.
During the trial, the prosecution, led by Mr. Olusola Soneye, presented three witnesses, while the defense called four. Ogba committed the offenses between April and May 2019 at Shalom Private School, Ebutte Metta, Lagos.
