A Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court in Ikeja, Lagos on Thursday sentenced a 27-year-old teacher, Bright Emelogu, to life imprisonment for sodomising his 14-year-old previous student.
Justice Abiola Soladoye of the Ikeja held that Emelogu was amoral, callous, reckless and every little thing a teacher mustn’t.
Mr Soladoye mentioned that the convict inflicted bodily, emotional and psychological trauma of the survivor.
According to her, the proof of the survivor was corroborated with the proof of the nominal complainant, his aunt and the medical report from Mirabel Medical Centre in Ikeja.
She mentioned: ”The survivor on this case narrated earlier than this court docket that the defendant was his class teacher and that he complained to his aunt that he was not doing nicely in class.
“The survivor mentioned ‘he (defendant) told his aunt that he was dumb which made the aunt arrange an after-school lesson with the defendant.
“The survivor said the defendant ordered him to go into the school toilet and but he refused which made him threaten to fail the survivor in his third term examination, if he did not obey him.
“The survivor said he eventually co-operated with the defendant because he was afraid and he followed him to the toilet.”
The judge maintained that the testimony of the survivor was truthful and the evidence of the survivor’s aunt was easy and unambiguous.
She added that the medical report which was tendered within the court docket revealed healings within the anus space and lacerations, which have been constant to the anus, weren’t pile-related.
She mentioned the protection written handle to discharge and acquit the defendant was of no second because the prosecution proved every of the elements of sexual assault by penetration towards the defendant.
According to her, the proof of the defendant was self-serving, untruthful and contradictory as he denied writing an announcement.
She mentioned: “His own confessional statement which he denied ever writing was admitted into evidence in this court.
“Exhibit A, the statement of the defendant, exhibit B, statement of nominal complainant and exhibit C, the medical report are self-explanatory and pertinent to convict the defendant
“The same exhibit A is crucial as it is the confessional statement of the defendant which is good as granting conviction.
“This paedophile, Bright Emelogu, is a disgrace to the teaching profession and he must pay for his sexual indiscretions.
“Hopefully, this will also serve to other male teachers like him to desist from messing around with the innocence of their students,”
The decide, having discovered the defendant responsible of the one rely cost, sentenced him to life imprisonment.
She ordered that the defendant has his title registered within the sexual offences register as maintained by Lagos State Government.
Mrs Soladoye referred to as on college proprietors to be selective and conduct due diligence on their employees earlier than recruiting them.
She mentioned faculties always ought to encourage college students and pupils to talk up at any time when they have been sexually molested.
“I know they might be afraid to do so but this is to their own advantage as they can report same to appropriate authorities.
“Association of school proprietors as a matter of fact should hold conferences, meetings to encourage pupils and children to speak up.
“A teacher is to teach morals and impact knowledge but alas! this defendant is everything a teacher should not be,” Mrs Soladoye mentioned.
The decide added that high quality and reliable employees have to be recruited within the educating occupation because the welfare of scholars have to be upheld in any respect time.
The state counsel, Olufunke Adegoke referred to as three witnesses whereas the defendant testified as sole witness.
The offence violated Section 261 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015
NAN
