By Juliet Oladele, Reporting
LAGOS – A justice at the Lagos Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court has handed a life sentence to the proprietor of a private school in Ibeju Lekki after finding him guilty of defiling a six-year-old pupil.
Justice Abiola Soladoye convicted Benson Arinze, who ran Nurtured Brooks Nursery and Primary School, following a full trial in which the prosecution proved that he sexually assaulted the child in 2022.
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The court heard that the victim, then a pupil at the school, would regularly remain on the premises after closing hours while waiting for her parents to collect her.
It was during this time that Arinze and a teacher began sexually abusing the child.
The abuse came to light when the girl’s mother noticed unusual changes in her behaviour.
After questioning her daughter, the survivor disclosed what had been happening at the school.
Her father then reported the matter to Elemoro Police Station.
Arinze was originally charged alongside one of his teachers, Victor Ezenwata, with sexual assault by penetration of a minor, an offence contrary to Section 261 of the Criminal Law, C17, Vol. 3, Laws of Lagos State 2015.
Ezenwata faced additional counts including unlawful sexual intercourse and indecent treatment of a child.
While Arinze maintained his innocence and opted for a trial, Ezenwata’s counsel, Spurgeon Ataene, applied for a plea bargain.
Following an amended charge dated 27 May 2025, the teacher pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 18 years’ imprisonment.
During Arinze’s proceedings, prosecution counsel O.E. Adeoye called several witnesses, including the survivor and her father, referred to as PW1 and PW2.
Delivering her judgment, Justice Soladoye ruled that the testimonies of both witnesses were “clear, compelling and sufficient” to establish the case against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt.
She added that the evidence presented by the defence witnesses was self-serving.
The judge ordered that Arinze’s name be entered into the Lagos State Sexual Offenders Register, maintained by the state government.
It remains uncertain whether the convicted school proprietor will appeal the sentence.
