By Deborah Nnamdi
An Ikeja Special Offences and Domestic Violence Court on Thursday convicted and sentenced a part-time lecturer at Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Kolawole Muyiwa, to life imprisonment for raping a student.
Justice Rahman Oshodi, who handed down the jail term, held that the prosecution was able to prove the ingredients of defilement against the convict beyond reasonable doubt.
The charge stated that Muyiwa committed the offense on October 11, 2021, at the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Oto-Ijanikin, Lagos State.
When he was arraigned on October 6, 2023, Muyiwa pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against him.
During the trial, the prosecution called three witnesses: the victim, a lawyer and vice chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers, Badagry branch, Caroline Ibe, and the Investigation Police Officer, Olufunke.
While delivering the judgment, Justice Oshodi noted that the convict was a part-time lecturer at the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education now Lagos State University of Education.
The judge held that the testimonies of the survivor corroborated those of the lawyer and the IPO.
“The survivor, in her testimony before the court, said, “On October 11, 2021, she arrived early for a departmental meeting scheduled for 10 am. While waiting outside her classroom, the convict approached and requested her to get him food though she initially declined due to her pending meeting.
“She later followed Muyiwa to get a flask to buy the food. He led her to the office. When they got inside the office, the convict said he no longer wanted the food but needed help to mark some examination scripts.
“She added that Muyiwa went outside, returned, and then locked the passage gate and office door,” Oshodi said.
The victim, in her evidence, also told the court that when electricity was restored, Muyiwa pulled down the window curtain and turned on the light, claiming the sun’s reflection was affecting the office.
She added that Muyiwa 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, but he removed my sanitary pad and had forceful sexual intercourse with me.
The survivor said after he had sex with her, he said ‘What you refused to give me willingly, I have taken it by force.”
Ibe, in her testimony, testified that the survivor contacted her in November 2021, and she then interviewed the survivor.
She also stated that she visited the crime scene and met with the school authority.
The IPO Olufunke narrated to the court how she investigated the case.
However, several documents were tendered and admitted in evidence including medical reports.
Muyiwa, who is a married man and also a father of three, in his defense, denied raping the survivor.
He testified that on October 11, 2021, when he came to the college to record and submit scripts, he met the survivor, who offered to help him carry his bag upon reaching the gate.
The convict told the court that he asked her if she could help record scores which she agreed. But she informed him that she had a meeting.
Muyiwa also 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 a sexual relationship.”
The convict’s counsel, Dr G.O Erenta, in his final written address, had told the court to discharge and acquit Muyiwa as the evidence of the survivor was fictitious and no corroborating evidence was established.
Justice Oshodi, in his judgment, found Muyiwa guilty of the offense of rape.
He held that the survivor gave a detailed account of how the convict raped her even under cross-examination.
“Also, the convict’s admission of asking the survivor for a relationship though he claimed to be a platonic relationship.
“Kolawole Muyiwa, I have found you guilty of rape contrary to Section 260 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.
“I note that you are a first-time offender with no criminal record, and you are married with three children and also served as a part-time lecturer. However, the gravity of the offense committed cannot be overlooked.
“As a part-time lecturer, you occupied the position of trust and authority which you abused; the victim was a student at the institution where you taught.
“Section 260 of the Criminal Law proscribes life imprisonment punishment for your crime and that is what I shall give you.
“You are hereby sentenced to life imprisonment and your name shall also be registered as a sex offender in the Lagos State Sex Offender Register,” Oshodi said.
