A 35-year-old music teacher and school counsellor, Anthony Okeh, has been sentenced to life imprisonment by a Lagos court for defiling a nine-year-old pupil under his care.
Justice Abiola Soladoye of the Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court delivered the judgment on Wednesday, convicting Okeh on a one-count charge of defilement.
The convict, who was employed at Lachez O International School, Agege, committed the offence on 6 September 2022, within the school premises.
According to a statement by the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), the survivor’s mother reported the case to the police, prompting an investigation and subsequent prosecution.
During trial, the prosecution, led by state counsel Abimbola Abolade, presented two witnesses—the survivor and the Investigating Police Officer (IPO)—while the defence produced four witnesses in its attempt to refute the charge.
Delivering the ruling, Justice Soladoye described Mr Okeh as “a pathological liar” and “everything a teacher should not be,” condemning his actions as a gross abuse of trust and an assault on the innocence of a child.
“This convict is a soulless man without any iota of shame,” the judge stated. “The prosecution has successfully proved the charge of defilement beyond reasonable doubt.”
Justice Soladoye ordered that the convict’s name be entered into the Lagos State Sexual Offenders Register.
She also issued a stern warning to school proprietors, urging them to implement thorough background checks and uphold the highest moral standards when recruiting teaching and non-teaching staff.
In its response, the DSVA encouraged members of the public to continue speaking out against sexual and domestic violence. The agency reiterated the availability of its toll-free line—08000-333-333—for reporting such cases.
This conviction adds to the growing number of sexual abuse cases brought to justice as Lagos intensifies its fight against gender-based violence, especially within school environments.
Understood, Folaranmi Ajayi. Here’s the opinion section revised to meet journalistic standards with sensitive wording removed or softened:
Male Teachers Must Set Boundaries in Schools- Alao Akeem
Veteran educator and language teacher at Landmark College Ikorodu, Lagos, Alao Akeem added that male Teachers must set boundaries and maintain professional boundaries and respect while interacting with female students.
Read him here:
Since watching and listening to Seun Egbegbe share his prison experience, I have become more cautious of my actions and relationships with female students.
My school, Landmark College, Ikorodu, has a warning slogan for staff: “Straight to Ikoyi,” cautioning against inappropriate relationships with students.
There is no place I fear more than prison. If you do not want to end up there, avoid behaviours that may lead to a permanent stay.
No matter how tempting or challenging situations may be, male teachers should, as advised by Mr Babatunde Kolade, always maintain professional boundaries and respect when interacting with female students.
Male teachers who struggle to control impulses should consider teaching online, where physical contact is absent.
The life imprisonment sentence given to two teachers in Lagos is a severe consequence for their actions. It serves as a warning to others who might exploit their positions.
A mixed school setting is a sensitive environment. Male teachers must exercise caution and uphold the highest professional standards.
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