Lagos Court Imposes Life Sentence on Security Guard for Brutal School Clinic Rape
In a landmark judgment, the Lagos State Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court has handed down a life imprisonment sentence to security guard Emmanuel Buchi for the horrific rape of a 37-year-old married nurse within a school clinic. Justice Rahman Oshodi delivered the decisive verdict on Wednesday, firmly stating that the prosecution had conclusively proven the charges of rape and assault occasioning harm against the convicted individual.
Judge Condemns Convict as Pathological Liar Without Remorse
Justice Oshodi did not mince words in his assessment of Buchi, describing him as a pathological liar whose attempts to deflect from his crimes were entirely unconvincing. The judge emphasized that the convict displayed no remorse whatsoever for his actions, persistently maintaining the false claim that the survivor had consented to the sexual intercourse. This stance, according to the court, only underscored the gravity of his moral failure.
"You were employed as a security guard at Green Springs School, Awoyaya, and your duty was to protect lives and property," Justice Oshodi stated pointedly. "Instead of protecting the prosecutrix, you became her assailant by abandoning your duty post on the night of November 27, 2021, entering the school clinic where you had no authorisation to be, and raping her while she was alone on duty."
Court Details Violent Assault and Corroborated Evidence
The evidence presented in court painted a disturbing picture of the attack. It was established that Buchi used significant force and violence against the nurse, pressing her hands down, grabbing her legs, and stamping on them with his security boots. A subsequent medical examination revealed troubling injuries, including black discoloration on her left eye and bruises in the vaginal area, which substantiated the violent nature of the assault.
Justice Oshodi highlighted that the survivor's testimony was clear, consistent, credible, and authentic, corroborated by two other prosecution witnesses. In stark contrast, the convict's defense was deemed unreliable and riddled with lies. Notably, Buchi had fabricated a story claiming the nurse was his girlfriend, a assertion directly contradicted by his own police statement where he admitted she told him, "leave me now." Under cross-examination, he absurdly claimed to interpret this refusal as consent.
Mandatory Life Sentence Reflects Societal Condemnation
The judge underscored that the life imprisonment sentence for rape is mandatory under Nigerian law, reflecting society's strong condemnation of such heinous crimes. He expressed deep concern over the circumstances, noting that the convict had threatened the survivor during the rape, exacerbating the trauma. "Throughout this trial, you have shown no understanding of the gravity of your actions or the harm you have caused," Justice Oshodi remarked. "Beyond the physical injuries, the prosecutrix will carry the psychological scars of that violation."
Final Sentencing and Registration in Offences Register
Consequently, the court sentenced Emmanuel Buchi to life imprisonment for the rape charge and an additional three years for assault occasioning harm, with both sentences to run concurrently. Furthermore, the judge directed that the convict's name be entered into the Lagos State Sexual Offences Register, ensuring a permanent record of his crime.
During the trial, state lead counsel Mr. Babajide Boye called three witnesses and tendered exhibits, while the convict testified as the sole defense witness. The prosecution detailed that the offence occurred on November 27, 2021, at Green Springs School in Awoyaya, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos. The nurse had testified that she was on night duty when Buchi initially approached her at the clinic requesting vitamin C, only to return minutes later, switch off the lights, and commit the rape. The charges contravened Sections 173 and 258 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the severe legal consequences for sexual violence in Nigeria, particularly when committed by those entrusted with protection roles. The court's firm stance aims to deliver justice for survivors and deter similar offenses in the future.
