Lecturer Bags Life Imprisonment for Rape
An Ikeja special offences and Domestic Violence court has sentenced one Kolawole Muyiwa to life imprisonment for rape.
Justice Rahman Oshodi held that the prosecution has proved the ingredients of defilement against the convict beyond reasonable doubt.
The convict committed the offense on October 11, 2021, at Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education Oto-Ijanikin, Lagos state.
He was arraigned on October 6, 2023 and pleaded not guilty.
Delivering the judgement, Justice Rahman Oshodi told the court that the prosecution called three witnesses: PW1, the victim, PW2 Caroline Ibe, a legal practitioner and vice chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers Badagry branch, and PW3 IPO Olufunke, with AP number 292028.
The judge said that the defendant was a part-time lecturer at Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, now Lagos State University of Education, and that the survivor’s testimonies corroborated those of the legal practitioner and the IPO.
PW1 the survivor said “On October 11,2021 she arrived early for a departmental meeting scheduled for 10am, while waiting outside her classroom, the defendant approached and requested her to go get him food, tho she declined due to her pending meeting.
According to PW1, she followed the defendant to get a flask for the food purchase, he laid her to the office, when they got inside the defendant said he no longer wanted food but needed help marking some examination scripts. She added that the defendant went outside, returned and locked the passage gate and office door.
She also told the court that when the electricity was restored, the defendant pulled down the window curtain and turned on the light, claiming the sun’s reflection was affecting the office. She added that the defendant asked if she had a boyfriend, to which she said no.
He suddenly pushed me down the plastic chair I was sitting on. He overpowered me and forcefully removed my trousers. I was menstruating at the time, and he removed my sanitary pad and had forceful sexual intercourse with me.
The survivor said after the had sex with her, the defendant said
“what you refused to give me willing, I have taken it by force.”
PW2 testified that the survivor contact her in November 2021, she interviewed the survivor. Visited the alleged crime sense and met with the school authority.
PW3, IPO told the court about the involvement of the police and her investigation and serval documents where tendered and admmited in evidence including medical reports.
The their defense, the defendant testified as DW1. He told the court that on October 11,2021 he came to the college to record and summit scripts. He met the survivor on reaching the gate who offered to help him carry his bag.
He asked her if she could help record Scores which she agreed. She informed him that she had a meeting.
The defendant told the court that he asked the survivor for a relationship while inside his office and she accepted. He explained that the relationship meant was,
“To be together, to talk, relate with one another, but not for sexual relationship” . He denied rapping the survivor.
His counsel, Dr G.O Erenta told the court to discharge and acquit the defendant as the evidence of the survivor was fictitious and no corroborating evidence established.
Justice Rahman Oshodi in his judgement found the defendant guilty of the allegation of rape as the survivor gave a detailed account of her the defendant raped her even under cross examination. Also the defendant admission of asking the survivor of a relationship tho he claimed to be a platonic relationship.
“Kolawole Muyiwa I have found you guilty of rape contrary to section 260 of the criminal law chapter 17 volume laws of Lagos state 2015
“I note that you are a first time offender with no criminal record, and you are married with three children also served as a part time lecturer, however the gravity of your the offense committed cannot be over looked
“As a par time lecturer you occupied the position of trust and authority which you abuse, the victim was a student at the institution where you thought
“Section 260 of the criminal law describes life imprisonment punishment for your crime and that is what I shall sentence you to life imprisonment and you shall also be registered as a sex offender.”
