An Ikeja Special Offences and Domestic Violence Court has sentenced Kolawole Muyiwa, a lecturer at Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, to life in prison for sexually assaulting a student.
Justice Rahman Oshodi held that the prosecution proved the case of rape beyond reasonable doubt.
The charge against Muyiwa stated that he committed the offence on October 11, 2021, at the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Oto-Ijanikin, Lagos State.
During the trial, the prosecution presented three witnesses: the victim, Caroline Ibe—a lawyer and vice chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers ,FIDA, Badagry branch—and the investigating police officer, Olufunke.
In her testimony, the survivor narrated how she arrived early for a departmental meeting when Muyiwa asked her to buy him food. She initially declined but later agreed to follow him to get a food flask.
Instead of sending her on the errand, Muyiwa lured her into his office under the pretense of needing help with marking examination scripts. Once inside, he locked the door, drew the window curtain, and switched on the light, claiming sunlight was affecting his office.
She recounted that he suddenly pushed her down, overpowered her, and forcefully removed her trousers despite her being on her menstrual period. “After he had sex with me, he said, ‘What you refused to give me willingly, I have taken it by force,’” the survivor testified.
Muyiwa, a married man with three children, denied the allegations. He claimed the student voluntarily helped him carry his bag and agreed to assist in recording scores. He admitted asking her for a relationship but insisted it was meant to be a “platonic” one.
His counsel, Dr. G.O. Erenta, urged the court to acquit him, arguing that the survivor’s account was fictitious and lacked corroborating evidence.
Justice Oshodi, however, ruled that the victim gave a consistent and detailed account of the rape, even under cross-examination.
“As a part-time lecturer, you occupied a position of trust and authority which you abused,” the judge stated.
Muyiwa was sentenced to life imprisonment under Section 260 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015. The court also ordered that his name be registered in the Lagos State Sex Offender Register.
Reported by The Conclave.
