Chinedum Elekwachi
A Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Court sitting at Awka, Anambra State, has sentenced a 34-year old school teacher to 12 years imprisonment for raping his 11 years old, JSS 1 student.
The defendant, Pascal Ofomata, was charged with rape and inflicting physical harm punishable under section 3(1), 4 (1) respectively of the Violence against Persons Prohibition Law, and the offense of Sexual Abuse punishable under section 35 (2) of the Child’s Right Law of Anambra State.
Ofomata, a teacher at St Christopher’s Junior Seminary 3-3 Onitsha pleaded not guilty of the 3-count charge.
In his extra judicial statement, he outrightly denied penetrating the victim’s anus.
The defendant however admitted in his statement in the police that he sucked his penis and told him to kiss him.
After intense and intriguing trial and evaluation of the investigating police officer and the doctor who examined the victim, the court upheld the case of the prosecuting counsel and convicted the defendant, sentencing him to 12 years imprisonment.
Convict barred from certain employments
The court, in addition, barred him from being employed in any establishment with persons under 18 such as primary, secondary, and even tertiary institutions.
Justice Peace Otti commended the lead Prosecutor, Chinelo Akorah, of the Anambra State Ministry of Justice for her industry and brilliance.
According to her, Akorah ‘s final address was compelling and comprehensive.
She acknowledged that it was rare for cases of sexual offenses against boys to receive conclusive end and justice served to offenders.
The Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, hailed the judgment.
She expressed satisfaction that the state justice system is still delivering justice.
Obinabo described the case as rare push for justice for the boy-child.
For her, it is also an opportuntiy to create the awareness that boys can be victims of sexual violence.
“There comes a time when silence is betrayal.”
— Martin Luther King Jr.
May God have mercy on this generation. Immorality is on the rampage.
Thank God for justice but I wonder how many of such stories have gone unreported and how many are still waiting trial over years.