A S3xual and Gender-Based Violence Court in Awka, Anambra State, presided over by Justice Peace Otti, has sentenced a 34-year-old schoolteacher, Pascal Ofomata, to 12 years in prison for r@ping his 11-year-old male student, who was in Junior Secondary School 1.
Ofomata, a teacher at St. Christopher’s Junior Seminary in 3-3 Onitsha, faced charges of rape and inflicting physical harm, both of which are punishable under Sections 3(1) and 4(1) of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law. He was also charged with sexual abuse under Section 35(2) of the Child’s Rights Law of Anambra State.
Despite pleading not guilty to the three-count indictment, the court heard testimony from the investigating police officer and the medical doctor who examined the victim during the trial. Although Ofomata denied penetrating the boy, he admitted to acts that amounted to sexual abuse in his police statement.
In delivering the judgment, Justice Otti convicted Ofomata and sentenced him to 12 years in prison. Furthermore, the court prohibited him from being employed in any establishment involving individuals under 18, including primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions.
Justice Otti commended the Senior State Counsel leading the prosecution, Chinelo Akorah, Esq., from the Anambra State Ministry of Justice, for her compelling and comprehensive final address. She noted that it is rare for cases of sexual offences against boys to reach a conclusive end and for offenders to face justice.
In response to the verdict, the state Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Hon. Ify Obinabo, expressed satisfaction with the Anambra State justice system, stating that it delivers nothing short of justice. She emphasised that this case is a significant step toward advocating for the rights of the boy-child and raising awareness that boys can also be victims of sexual violence.
