An Anambra State High Court has sentenced a 34-year-old school teacher, Mr. Pascal Ofomata, to 12 years imprisonment for defiling his 11-year-old male student. The judgment was delivered by the sexual and gender-based violence court sitting in Awka.
Ofomata, who taught at St Christopher's Junior Seminary in the 3-3 area of Onitsha, was found guilty of sexually abusing the Junior Secondary One student under his care.
Court Proceedings and Conviction
The presiding judge, Justice Peace Otti, commended the prosecution counsel, Chinelo Akorah Esq., for her "compelling and comprehensive" final address and for diligently pursuing the case to its conclusion.
"It is very rare to see cases of sexual offenses against boys get to a conclusive end and offenders meted with justice," Justice Otti remarked after delivering the judgment.
During the trial, Ofomata had denied having carnal knowledge of the boy, claiming he never penetrated the victim's anus. However, he admitted that the victim had performed oral sex on him and that he had instructed the boy to kiss him.
The court upheld the case following testimonies from the investigating police officer and the doctor who examined the victim, leading to Ofomata's conviction.
Charges and Additional Penalties
Ofomata had initially pleaded not guilty to a three-count charge that included rape and inflicting physical harm on the boy—offenses punishable under section 3(1) and 4(1) respectively of the Violence against Persons Prohibition Law of Anambra State. The third charge was sexual abuse, punishable under section 35(2) of the Child's Right Law of Anambra State.
In addition to the prison sentence, the court barred Ofomata from future employment in any establishment with persons under 18 years of age, including primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions.
This case highlights the growing attention to male victims of sexual abuse in Nigeria, where such cases often go unreported due to stigma and societal perceptions.
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