Justice Abiola Soladoye of the Lagos Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court has sentenced a school proprietor, Benson Arinze, to life imprisonment for sexually assaulting a six-year-old pupil at his school. The court found Arinze guilty of defilement as charged by the Lagos State Government.
Background of the Case
The survivor was a pupil of Nurtured Brooks Nursery and Primary School in Ibeju-Lekki, where Arinze served as proprietor in 2022. According to the prosecution, the child often stayed after school hours while waiting for her parents to pick her up. During that time, the convict and one of the teachers began sexually assaulting the child.
The survivor's mother noticed unusual behavior in her daughter and questioned her. The child then disclosed the abuse by the convict and the teacher. The father reported the matter at Elemoro Police Station.
Initial Charges and Plea Bargain
Arinze was initially charged alongside one of his teachers, Victor Ezenwata, for sexual assault by penetration of a minor, contrary to Section 261 of the Criminal Law, C17, Vol. 3, Laws of Lagos State, 2015. Ezenwata faced additional charges of unlawful sexual intercourse and indecent treatment of a child.
Ezenwata applied for a plea bargain through his counsel, Spurgeon Ataene. After an amended charge on May 27, 2025, he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment.
Trial and Conviction
Arinze maintained his innocence, leading to a full trial. The prosecution counsel, O.E. Adeoye, presented witnesses including the survivor and her father. In her judgment, Justice Soladoye ruled that the testimonies were clear, compelling, and sufficient to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt. The defence witnesses' evidence was deemed self-serving.
The court sentenced Arinze to life imprisonment and ordered his name entered into the Lagos State Sexual Offenders Register.
