Kolawole Muyiwa, a part-time lecturer at Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the rape of a student. The verdict was delivered by Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Ikeja Special Offences and Domestic Violence Court on Thursday. The court found that the prosecution successfully proved the charge of defilement beyond a reasonable doubt.
The crime occurred on October 11, 2021, at the college’s Oto-Ijanikin campus in Lagos State. Despite being arraigned on October 6, 2023, and pleading not guilty to the charges, the court ruled in favor of the prosecution, delivering a life sentence to Muyiwa for his actions. The conviction underscores the seriousness with which such offenses are being addressed in Nigerian courts, particularly in cases involving sexual violence.
During the trial, three key witnesses were called to testify: the survivor, Caroline Ibe— a lawyer and vice chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (Badagry branch)— and the Investigation Police Officer (IPO), Olufunke. Their testimonies played a crucial role in the prosecution’s case, providing a strong foundation for the conviction.
In his judgment, Justice Oshodi highlighted the fact that Kolawole Muyiwa was a part-time lecturer at the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, now known as Lagos State University of Education, at the time of the offense. The judge emphasized that the survivor’s account was consistent with the testimonies provided by the lawyer and the IPO, reinforcing the credibility of the evidence and ultimately leading to the conviction.
The survivor’s testimony detailed a harrowing sequence of events on October 11, 2021. She explained how, after initially declining to buy food for Muyiwa due to an upcoming departmental meeting, she eventually agreed to accompany him. Upon entering his office, the situation took a disturbing turn when he locked the door and claimed he no longer wanted the food, but needed help with marking examination scripts. After pulling down the window curtain and adjusting the lights, Muyiwa asked the survivor about her relationship status before suddenly attacking her, pushing her down, and forcefully removing her trousers. Despite being menstruating at the time, she said he removed her sanitary pad and raped her. Afterward, he allegedly mocked her, stating, “What you refused to give me willingly, I have taken it by force.”
Caroline Ibe, a lawyer and the vice-chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (Badagry branch), also testified about her involvement. Ibe said the survivor reached out to her in November 2021 to report the assault. Following the victim’s disclosure, Ibe interviewed her and took steps to gather evidence by visiting the crime scene and engaging with the school authorities. Ibe’s testimony, alongside the survivor’s, helped build a compelling case for the prosecution.
The Investigation Police Officer (IPO), Olufunke, provided further details on how she investigated the case, presenting several crucial documents, including medical reports, to support the survivor’s claims. Despite the evidence, the defendant, Kolawole Muyiwa, denied the accusations. He claimed that on the day of the incident, the survivor had offered to help him carry his bag, and later agreed to assist with recording scores. He denied any sexual intentions, insisting that his suggestion of a relationship was merely for platonic interaction. His defense counsel, Dr. G.O. Erenta, argued that the survivor’s account was fictitious and lacked corroboration.
However, Justice Rahman Oshodi found the survivor’s testimony to be consistent and compelling, noting her detailed account, even under cross-examination. The judge highlighted Muyiwa’s admission of asking the survivor for a relationship, despite his claim that it was non-sexual. In his judgment, Oshodi emphasized that while Muyiwa had no prior criminal record and was a first-time offender, the gravity of his crime was undeniable, especially considering his position of authority as a part-time lecturer. The victim was a student at the same institution where Muyiwa taught, and his abuse of that trust was a key factor in the sentencing.
Justice Oshodi sentenced Muyiwa to life imprisonment, acknowledging the seriousness of the offense. He also ordered that Muyiwa’s name be added to the Lagos State Sex Offender Register. This conviction serves as a reminder of the legal consequences of such heinous acts and the importance of holding individuals in positions of power accountable for their actions.#newsafro_
