The Lagos State Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court, Ikeja, delivered the judgment on Tuesday, September 29, 2026. Justice Rahman Oshodi sentenced Nwatu Isaac to life imprisonment for defiling the eight-year-old pupil. The court found Isaac guilty of defiling the child on March 10, 2022, after the prosecution established its case beyond reasonable doubt.
According to the statement by Lagos DSVA, Justice Oshodi ordered that Isaac's name be registered in the Sexual Offenders Register maintained by Lagos State. This order was made in line with Sections 33 and 38 of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency Law, 2021. The court relied on evidence from the survivor, her mother, and medical reports from the Mirabel Centre to convict Isaac.
The survivor, who was nine years old when she testified, identified Isaac in court and gave a clear account of the incident. She stated that Isaac, whom she knew as 'Master Isaac', took her into the school toilet and sexually assaulted her. The court found her testimony credible and consistent, and it corroborated with other evidence presented.
The court rejected Isaac's denial that he went beyond the school gate on the day of the incident. His own evidence placed him at the school at the material time, and the survivor identified him as the person who took her into the toilet. The court also rejected his defence of alibi and suggestions that the survivor could have been sexually abused by her stepsister.
During sentencing, Justice Oshodi held that Isaac had abused the trust placed in him by the survivor and her family. Isaac was once her teacher and was also entrusted by parents in the community to transport their children. The judge noted that this abuse of trust warranted the severe sentence.
Justice Oshodi directed the prosecution to take immediate steps under the Victim Assistance and Witness Protection Law, 2022, to secure protection and support for the survivor and her family. Isaac was prosecuted under Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, which prescribes life imprisonment for anyone who has unlawful sexual intercourse with a child.
The case was reported by Samuel Omotere, an experienced journalist covering human interest stories, pop culture, and digital trends. The incident highlights the efforts of the Lagos State government to combat sexual offences and protect vulnerable children.
Key points
- The Lagos State court sentenced Nwatu Isaac to life imprisonment for defiling an eight-year-old pupil.
- The court ordered Isaac's name to be registered in the Sexual Offenders Register maintained by Lagos State.
- The judge directed the prosecution to secure protection and support for the survivor and her family under the Victim Assistance and Witness Protection Law, 2022.
