A school teacher, Nwatu Isaac, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for defiling an eight-year-old pupil at El-Bossaa Nursery and Primary School in Epe. The sentencing took place at the Lagos State Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court in Ikeja on Tuesday, 29 September 2026. This case was brought to trial after the incident occurred on 10 March 2022.
The court found Isaac guilty of the offence after the prosecution presented compelling evidence. Justice Rahman Oshodi noted the survivor’s credible testimony, given when she was nine, in which she detailed how Isaac, referred to as ‘Master Isaac’, lured her into the school toilet and assaulted her. The survivor's testimony played a crucial role in establishing the facts of the case.
Additional evidence came from the survivor’s mother, who discovered blood on her daughter’s underwear shortly after school. This led to further investigation and medical examination. Medical reports from the Mirabel Centre confirmed signs of penetration, which corroborated the survivor’s account of the incident.
The court dismissed Isaac’s claims of not being at the school during the incident, as his own statements indicated otherwise. The survivor identified Isaac as the individual who took her into the toilet. Isaac’s defences, including suggestions that the assault could have been committed by her stepsister, were also rejected by the court.
During sentencing, Justice Oshodi remarked on the breach of trust, explaining that Isaac had been entrusted by the survivor’s parents to transport their children. The judge emphasized the severity of the crime, given Isaac's position of authority and responsibility as a teacher.
Justice Oshodi also mandated that Isaac’s name be added to the Sexual Offenders Register, as outlined in the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency Law of 2021. This registry aims to track and monitor individuals convicted of sexual offences, ensuring public safety and preventing future crimes.
The judge instructed the prosecution to ensure that the survivor and her family receive the necessary support and protection under the Victim Assistance and Witness Protection Law of 2022. Isaac was prosecuted under Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, which prescribes life sentences for unlawful sexual intercourse with a child.
Key points
- The court found Isaac guilty based on compelling evidence, including the survivor’s testimony and medical reports confirming signs of penetration.
- Isaac was sentenced to life imprisonment and mandated to be registered as a sexual offender.
- The judge ensured the survivor and her family would receive support and protection under the Victim Assistance and Witness Protection Law of 2022.
