LAGOS COURT SENTENCES SCHOOL SECURITY GUARD TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPE
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court on Wednesday sentenced a school security guard, Emmanuel Buchi, to life imprisonment for raping a 37-year-old married nurse at a school clinic in Lagos.
Justice Rahman Oshodi, while delivering judgment, held that the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt the offences of rape and assault occasioning harm against the convict.
The judge described Buchi as a “pathological liar,” noting that his attempt to deny responsibility and claim consent by the survivor did not hold water. Oshodi said the convict showed no remorse throughout the trial and continued to insist that the victim consented to the sexual act.
According to the court, the sentence of life imprisonment for rape is mandatory under the law and reflects society’s strong condemnation of the crime.
Justice Oshodi said the circumstances surrounding the offence were deeply disturbing, stressing that Buchi threatened the victim while raping her inside the school clinic.
“The evidence of the prosecutrix was corroborated by other prosecution witnesses and medical reports,” the judge said, adding that her testimony was clear, consistent, credible and reliable, unlike the defence put forward by the convict.
“You were employed as a security guard at Green Springs School, Awoyaya, to protect lives and property,” the judge said. “Instead, you abandoned your duty post on the night of November 27, 2021, unlawfully entered the school clinic and raped the prosecutrix while she was alone on duty.”
The court noted that evidence showed Buchi used force and violence, including restraining the victim, grabbing her legs and stamping on them with his security boots. Medical reports confirmed injuries, including bruises and black discolouration around her eye and vaginal injuries.
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Justice Oshodi also faulted Buchi’s defence, noting that he admitted under cross-examination that the victim told him to stop, but claimed he interpreted her refusal as consent. The court further dismissed his claim that the victim was his girlfriend, describing it as a fabricated defence contradicted by his own police statement.
“Beyond the physical injuries, the prosecutrix will carry the psychological scars of this violation,” the judge said.
Buchi was sentenced to life imprisonment for rape and three years’ imprisonment for assault occasioning harm, with the sentences to run concurrently. The court also ordered that his name be entered into the Lagos State Sexual Offences Register.
The prosecution, led by Babajide Boye, called three witnesses and tendered several exhibits in support of its case. The convict was the sole witness for the defence.
The offence was committed on November 27, 2021, at Green Springs School, Awoyaya, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, contrary to Sections 173 and 258 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
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