A Lagos State High Court has sentenced former teacher Nwatu Isaac to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of sexually abusing an eight-year-old pupil in 2022.
Justice Rahman Oshodi, sitting in Ikeja, ruled that the prosecution proved the offence beyond reasonable doubt and ordered that Isaac’s name be entered in the Sex Offenders Register.
Isaac was prosecuted under Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, which prescribes life imprisonment for unlawful sexual intercourse with a child.
The court found that the prosecution established that the complainant was a child and that Isaac committed the offence.
Court rejects defence
Isaac denied the allegation during trial.
The court rejected his defence and held that the prosecution evidence was sufficient to prove the offence beyond reasonable doubt.
The judge also found the child’s testimony credible and consistent.
Medical evidence presented during the trial was considered by the court in reaching its decision, but IDNN is withholding graphic evidentiary details to protect the dignity and privacy of the child.
The ruling means the case has moved beyond allegation or charge.
Isaac has been convicted and sentenced.
Court orders protection for child and family
During sentencing, the court directed the prosecution to take steps under the Victim Assistance and Witness Protection Law 2022 to secure protection and support for the child and her family.
That followed a complaint by the child’s mother alleging continued intimidation.
The judge, however, made no finding on that complaint.
The intimidation allegation therefore remains separate from the conviction.
Abuse of trust
In sentencing Isaac, the court said he had abused the trust placed in him as a teacher and as someone entrusted with children.
The case raises a wider child-protection question: how schools, families and public institutions identify abuse, protect children who report it and prevent trusted adults from exploiting access to minors.
For this case, the legal position is clear.
A court has convicted Isaac and sentenced him to life imprisonment.
What comes next is enforcement of the sentence, protection for the child and family, and any further legal step the convict may choose to pursue.
