In a landmark ruling, Justice Abiola Soladoye of the Lagos Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court has sentenced Anthony Okeh, a 35-year-old music teacher, to life imprisonment for defiling a nine-year-old pupil.
Okeh, a counselor at Lachez O International School, was found guilty as charged by the state government. The court ruled that the prosecution had successfully proven the case beyond reasonable doubt, relying on direct evidence from the survivor, who bravely testified about her ordeal.
Justice Soladoye described Okeh as a “pathological liar and a soulless man without any iota of shame,” emphasizing that a teacher should never engage in unlawful sexual acts with a pupil. The survivor’s testimony was “lucid, cogent, unequivocal, and compelling,” leaving no room for doubt about the defendant’s guilt.
The court heard how Okeh lured the young girl to the music room, showed her nude pictures, and threatened her life if she ever spoke out. The survivor’s mother noticed her reluctance to attend school, leading to the eventual confession that exposed the abuse.
Justice Soladoye ruled that Okeh’s name be registered in the Lagos State Sexual Offences Register, ensuring that he remains permanently marked as a sexual offender.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of protecting children and holding perpetrators accountable. The ruling reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to justice for survivors of sexual abuse, sending a strong message that such crimes will not go unpunished.
