A Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Court in Awka, Anambra State, has sentenced a 34-year-old teacher, Pascal Ofomata, to 12 years in prison for sexually abusing his 11-year-old male student.
Presiding judge, Justice Peace Otti, found Ofomata guilty of defiling the Junior Secondary School 1 student of St. Christopher’s Junior Seminary, 3-3 Onitsha.
He was convicted under the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law and the Child’s Right Law of Anambra State.
Though Ofomata pleaded not guilty to the charges of rape, physical harm, and sexual abuse, the court relied on evidence from the investigating police officer and a medical doctor, as well as Ofomata’s own admission in his police statement, to convict him.
In addition to the 12-year jail sentence, the court prohibited him from working in any institution that involves children — including primary, secondary, and tertiary schools.
Justice Otti lauded lead prosecutor Chinelo Akorah of the Anambra State Ministry of Justice for her professionalism, noting that conclusive justice in sexual abuse cases involving boys is still rare.
“The prosecution’s final argument was detailed and convincing. This ruling marks a significant stride in acknowledging that boys, too, can be victims of sexual violence,” the judge said.
Reacting to the judgment, the Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, expressed satisfaction, describing the outcome as a win for justice and a step toward greater awareness of abuse against boys.