Lagos Court Sentences School Proprietor to Life Imprisonment for Defilement of Six‑Year‑Old Pupil
Justice Abiola Soladoye of the Lagos State Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court, Ikeja, has convicted and sentenced school proprietor Benson Arinze to life imprisonment for the defilement of a six‑year‑old pupil. Delivering judgment on Wednesday, the court found Arinze guilty of a one‑count charge of sexually assaulting a minor, contrary to Section 261 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The survivor, whose identity was withheld for protection, was a pupil of Nurtured Brooks Nursery and Primary School, Ibeju‑Lekki, owned by the convict. The prosecution, led by O.E. Adeoye, established that the offence occurred in 2022 when the child remained in school after closing hours awaiting her parents. Arinze exploited this period to sexually assault her.
Evidence before the court revealed that Arinze inserted his finger into the victim’s vagina, while a teacher in his employ, Victor Ezenwata, rubbed his penis on the child’s private part. The abuse came to light when the victim’s mother noticed unusual behaviour and questioned her daughter, who disclosed repeated sexual assaults within the school premises. The matter was promptly reported to the Elemoro Police Station by the victim’s father.
Arinze was arraigned alongside Ezenwata. While Arinze faced a one‑count charge of defilement, Ezenwata was charged with three counts bordering on sexual assault by penetration, unlawful sexual intercourse, and indecent treatment of a child, contrary to Section 135 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.
During proceedings, Ezenwata applied for a plea bargain through his counsel, Spurgeon Ataene. Following an amended charge dated May 27, 2025, he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 18 years’ imprisonment. Arinze, however, maintained his innocence throughout the trial.
In her judgment, Justice Soladoye held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. She emphasized that the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses (PW1 and PW2) were “clear, direct, and compelling,” providing sufficient evidence linking Arinze to the offence. The defence’s evidence, she noted, was “self‑serving” and failed to discredit the prosecution’s case.
The court convicted Arinze and sentenced him to life imprisonment, further ordering that his name be entered into the Lagos State Sexual Offenders Register, in line with statutory provisions aimed at deterring sexual crimes and protecting vulnerable children.
