A Lagos Special Offences and Domestic Violence Court sitting in Ikeja has sentenced a part-time lecturer at Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Kolawole Muyiwa, to life imprisonment for raping a student.
Delivering judgment yesterday (Thursday), Justice Rahman Oshodi held that the prosecution had proven the case beyond reasonable doubt. According to the charge, Muyiwa committed the crime on 11 October 2021, at the college’s premises in Oto-Ijanikin, Lagos.
During the trial, the prosecution presented three witnesses including the victim, a lawyer and vice chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Badagry branch, Caroline Ibe, and the Investigating Police Officer, Olufunke. The judge noted that the survivor’s testimony was consistent and corroborated by other witnesses.
The victim recounted that on the day of the incident, Muyiwa lured her into his office under the pretence of sending her on an errand. He then locked the doors, overpowered her, and raped her despite knowing she was menstruating.
“The survivor, in her testimony before the court, said, ‘On 11 October 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,” Justice Oshodi held.
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.”
In his defence, Muyiwa denied the allegations, claiming he only sought a platonic relationship with the student.
Muyiwa, a married man and father of three, in his defence, denied raping the survivor. He testified that on 11 October 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.”
However, the court dismissed his defence, ruling that his position as a lecturer placed him in a position of trust, which he abused.
The 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 offence 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
Justice Oshodi sentenced Muyiwa to life imprisonment under Section 260 of the Lagos State Criminal Code Law and ordered that his name be registered in the Lagos State Sex Offender Register.
Eighteen-Eleven Media