Anambra Teacher Gets 12 Years for s3xually Assaulting 11-Year-Old Male Student
A Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Court in Awka, Anambra State, under the leadership of Justice Peace Otti, has handed down a 12-year prison sentence to 34-year-old teacher Pascal Ofomata. He was found guilty of sexually assaulting an 11-year-old male student in Junior Secondary School 1.
Ofomata, who taught at St. Christopher’s Junior Seminary in 3-3 Onitsha, faced charges including rape and causing physical harm under the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law, as well as sexual abuse under the Child’s Rights Law of Anambra State.
Though he pleaded not guilty to all charges, the court heard compelling evidence from the investigating officer and the medical expert who examined the victim. While Ofomata denied penetration, he admitted to actions amounting to sexual abuse in his police statement.
Justice Otti convicted Ofomata and sentenced him to 12 years behind bars. Additionally, he is banned from working in any institution involving minors, including primary, secondary, and tertiary schools.
The judge praised Senior State Counsel Chinelo Akorah of the Anambra State Ministry of Justice for her thorough prosecution. She noted the rarity of sexual offense cases involving boys reaching a just conclusion.
State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Hon. Ify Obinabo, welcomed the verdict, praising the Anambra justice system for delivering justice. She highlighted the case as a crucial step in advocating for the rights of boy victims and raising awareness that boys, too, can suffer sexual violence.