Convicted: Teacher Sentenced to Life for Child Sexual Abuse

December 10, 2024 EMMANUEL ADEBAYO AJIBOLA

Justice Ramon Oshodi of the Ikeja sexual offences and domestic violence court has sentenced 23-year-old John Osifo to life imprisonment for defiling his 8-year-old student.

Osifo was initially arrested on January 31, 2022, on one count of defilement, to which he pleaded not guilty. The prosecution counsel, B.T. Boye, O.Aluko, I.D. Solarin and B.E. Okeowo, called three witnesses: the victim, the victim’s mother and Mary Adenike Osuntoye, a medical doctor, to testify.

Osifo’s charge sheet read, “Statement of offence defilement of a child contrary to Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.

“Particulars of Offence: Osifo John, between May 2020 and June 2021, at number 2 Vissol Street, Jejelaye, Ajamgbadi, and Marifod Private School, Ajamgbadi, Lagos, in the Ikeja Judicial Division, did defile one (name withheld), aged eight years, by having unlawful sexual intercourse with her.”

The victim gave detailed testimony of several incidents of forced sexual intercourse. The victim testified that John Osifo, during home lesson sessions during the COVID-19 lockdown, assaulted her sexually and threatened her not to tell anyone.

One of the victim’s testimonies included an occasion in school where he took her to the toilet area during her break time and had sexual intercourse with her.

According to the medical examiner, specific findings linked with sexual abuse were found: discharges, absent hymen, bruises, and inflammation around the victim’s genitalia. She stated that these discoveries indicated features consistent with forced sexual relations.

Justice Ramon stated that the prosecution had proved beyond doubt the case of defilement.

He then found the defendant guilty of defilement contrary to Section 137 of the criminal law and convicted him.

Justice Ramon Oshodi sentenced the defendant to life imprisonment for defiling the young victim.

The justice pointed out that Osifo’s sentencing was steep because he seemed unremorseful about his crimes and also fabricated stories about the victim instead of pleading guilty to the charges.

The judge condemned John Osifo for taking advantage of the trust the parents of the victim had placed in him as a teacher for the 8-year-old. John will osifo will serve a life imprisonment sentence and be registered as a sex offender.