Justice Abiola Soladoye of the Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court recently handed down a life imprisonment sentence to Benjamin Ogba, a head teacher convicted of defiling two seven-year-old girls.

The judge was satisfied that the prosecution had proven the case beyond reasonable doubt, establishing all elements of defilement.

Ogba’s defense was deemed unconvincing, with the judge describing his testimonies as “a pack of lies.” The evidence presented by the defense witnesses was also found to be unreliable and tainted with lies.

Soladoye described the convict as a “serial paedophile” and his testimonies a “pack of lies.”

She said: “The convict and his fellow defence witnesses were not truthful and credible in their testimonies, during the trial. Their testimonies were a pack of lies and fell asunder like a pack of cards.

“This serial paedophile, a head teacher, who is expected to teach his students morals, stooped so low and defiled the underage girls. What a shame!

“This irresponsible and randy teacher, who teaches his students nonsense, should be locked away,” she ruled.

The judge also praised the two survivors for their courage to speak up in court against their assailant.

She said that sexual abuse of any sort must be reported and not swept under the carpet.

Soladoye further urged parents not to relent in reporting sexual abuse cases to the appropriate authorities.

“Continuous education and awareness of this issue of sexual menace must be at the forefront of all stakeholders in the administration of justice to advocate the rights of young children.

“The defendant, having been found guilty of the two counts bordering on defilement, is hereby sentenced to life imprisonment on each of the counts.

“The sentencing, will however, run concurrently and his name registered in the Sex Offences Register as maintained by the Lagos State,” she said.

During the trial, the state prosecution counsel, Mr. Olusola Soneye, called three witnesses while the defence counsel called four witnesses.

The prosecutor said the convict committed the offence sometime in April and May 10, 2019, at Shalom Private School, Oke-Ira Road, Ebutte Metta in Lagos.

He said Ogba defiled the two survivors by having unlawful sexual intercourse with them.

The prosecutor also told the court that one of the girls, however, informed her mother and the case was reported at the police station.

According to the prosecutor, the offence contravened Section 137 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has increased the price of Premium Motor Spirit, otherwise known as petrol, from N855 per litre to N998 per litre.

The increase in the price of petrol, which came on Wednesday, was noticed at the pumps at all NNPCL depots in Lagos State.

The new development is a 12.7 percent or N113 increase from the initial price.

Recall that the national oil company had on September 3, 2024, raised the price of petrol from N568, which was the lowest in Lagos, and N617 in some other parts of the country, to a minimum of N855, obtainable in Lagos.

More to come…

Heineken Lokpobiri, the minister of state for petroleum resources (oil), has denied directing the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited to stop operating its refineries and focus exclusively on equity participation in other refineries.

In a statement on Tuesday, Lokpobiri clarified that the statement was made by Kamoru Busari, the director of upstream in the ministry of petroleum resources, who represented him at a recent conference in Lagos.

Speaking on the matter, Lokpobiri labeled the claim as “false”.

“My attention has been drawn to statements made by Engr. Kamoru Busari, Director of Upstream in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, who represented me at a recent conference in Lagos,” Lokpobiri said.

“I wish to categorically state that the claim that I directed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to stop running its own refineries and focus solely on equity participation in other refineries is false.”

Lokpobiri emphasized that this does not reflect his position as the minister responsible for the oil sector, nor does it represent the stance of the federal government.

“It is important to clarify that NNPCL is a company governed under the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), with a functional board and management,” he said.

He added that the ministry of petroleum resources does not control or manage NNPC, as the company operates independently, similar to other corporate entities.

“The oil and gas sector is fully deregulated, and the Nigerian government remains committed to promoting in-country refining,” Lokpobiri said.

“We encourage companies, including NNPCL, to operate independently, following global best practices. While we provide strategic guidance, we do not interfere directly in the operations of these companies.”

Lokpobiri reiterated his commitment to supporting NNPC’s growth and independence, ensuring that its operations align with international standards for efficiency, transparency, and profitability.