Teacher gets life imprisonment for raping eight-year-old pupil in Lagos

The Lagos sexual offences and domestic violence court has sentenced John Osifo, a teacher, to life imprisonment for raping an eight-year-old pupil.

Rahman Oshodi, the trial judge, convicted Osifo of the defilement charge preferred against him on Monday.

The teacher was accused of raping the minor during the COVID-19 lockdown in May 2020 and June 2021 at Vissol street in the Jejelaye area of Ajangbadi and Marifod Private School, Ajangbadi, Lagos.

Osifo was the home lesson teacher for the minor during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In his ruling, Oshodi said Osifo breached the trust entrusted into his hands by defiling the minor.

The judge held that the evidence of the survivor was corroborated by her mother’s exhibit, adding that medical examination 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.”

The judge also ordered that the defendant’s name be registered in the sexual offenses register of Lagos state.