A school bus driver, Tony Akpan, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for sexually assaulting a five-year-old pupil by Justice Abiola Soladoye of the Ikeja Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Court.
The police had charged Akpan to court for sexual assault and brought in five witnesses who testified against him. The police told the court that the offense contravenes sections 137 and 415 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
Delivering judgment in the case on Monday, May 16, the presiding judge, Justice Abiola Soladoye held that the prosecution had overwhelming evidence which proved the charge of sexual assault against Akpan and his accomplice, Itoro Wilson, the school bus assistant.
“There is overwhelming evidence before the court today. The testimony of the survivor is truthful and boldly narrated.
The medical doctor’s testimony also corroborated what the victim said.
The first defendant is hereby found guilty as charged and sentenced to life imprisonment.
The first defendant should have his name entered in the Sex Offenders’ Register of the Lagos State Government.”Justice Soladoye said
The judge also sentenced the second defendant to two years’ imprisonment for assisting the convict to evade justice when he ought to have spoken up and not concealed the truth.
The judge also called on the school authorities to ensure they recruit responsible staff to cater to minors.