Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
A Lagos Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos State, has sentenced a security guard, Emmanuel Buchi, to life imprisonment for the rape of a 37-year-old married nurse at a private school clinic, in a verdict that reflects the severity with which Nigeria’s judiciary is increasingly treating sexual violence. The court also imposed an additional three-year term for assault occasioning harm, with both sentences to run concurrently, underscoring the gravity of the offences and judicial condemnation of such acts. This case highlights persistent challenges in enforcing personal security even within institutional environments.
Justice Rahman Oshodi, who delivered the ruling on Wednesday, held that the Lagos State Government successfully proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt, satisfying legal thresholds under Sections 173 and 258 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. The prosecution’s evidence demonstrated that Buchi raped the nurse on the night of 27 November 2021 inside the clinic of Greensprings School, Awoyaya, Ibeju-Lekki, where both the convict and the survivor were employed. According to the prosecution, the nurse was alone on duty when Buchi, who was on night shift as a security guard, entered the clinic without authorization and committed the assault.
In his judgment, Justice Oshodi described Buchi as a “pathological liar”, noting that his defence collapsed under cross-examination. The convict repeatedly maintained that the encounter was consensual, a claim the judge rejected emphatically, noting it was inconsistent with evidence and the survivor’s testimony. The judge observed that Buchi displayed no remorse and attempted to fabricate a relationship with the victim, a narrative directly contradicted by his own extra-judicial statement to the police.
The circumstances of the assault, as laid out in court records, were particularly disturbing. The prosecution presented testimony that Buchi approached the nurse under the pretext of requesting vitamin C shortly before the rape. He then returned minutes later, switched off lights in the clinic and forced himself on her. Medical evidence tendered in court showed physical injuries consistent with non-consensual intercourse, including bruising and discolouration, which corroborated the survivor’s account of the attack.
Justice Oshodi emphasised that the life sentence for rape is mandatory under Lagos State law, reflecting a broader legislative and societal stance against sexual violence. The judge said that the mandatory nature of this punishment is intended to signal clear condemnation of such crimes and to deter potential offenders. In addition to imprisonment, the court ordered that Buchi’s name be entered into the Lagos State Sexual Offences Register, a legal measure designed to monitor individuals convicted of sexual crimes.
The prosecution, led by Babajide Boye, called three witnesses whose testimonies and exhibits formed the backbone of the case presented before the court. The defence, in contrast, offered Buchi as its sole witness but failed to provide credible evidence or accounting that could undermine the prosecution’s narrative. The judge found the victim’s testimony to be clear, consistent and credible, while criticisms of Buchi’s version of events were noted as unreliable.
Legal analysts note that this case underscores both the challenges of prosecuting historical sexual offences and the evolving Nigerian judicial approach to such crimes. Although the incident occurred more than four years ago, its progression through the legal process and ultimate conviction reflect the sustained efforts by law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies to pursue justice in complex cases involving power imbalances and institutional roles.
Beyond the courtroom, reactions from legal observers and advocacy groups emphasise the broader implications of the verdict. While many welcomed the life sentence as appropriate given the brutality and breach of trust involved—especially considering Buchi’s role as a security officer entrusted with protection—others reiterated concerns about widespread under-reporting of sexual violence in Nigeria and obstacles survivors face when seeking justice. Lagos State, through specialised courts like the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court, has been at the forefront of legal reforms aimed at strengthening protections for survivors and enhancing the enforceability of punitive measures against offenders.
The ruling also comes in the context of ongoing efforts within Nigeria to combat gender-based violence, which remains a significant social issue across states. Under Nigerian law, rape and related offences can attract sentences ranging up to life imprisonment, depending on the severity and circumstances of the crime. This legal framework is part of a broader statutory regime that seeks to align criminal penalties with the harm caused by gender-based crimes and to deter potential offenders. The Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015, although not specifically invoked in this case, is another legal instrument aimed at eliminating various forms of violence against individuals in both public and private settings.
Civil society organisations and rights advocates have repeatedly called for enhanced enforcement of existing laws, increased public awareness on reporting avenues, and improved support systems for survivors. Cases like Buchi’s verdict are often cited in these discussions as examples of the judicial system’s capacity to deliver substantive outcomes when evidence is effectively presented and due process is observed. Nonetheless, they also highlight the broader societal challenges that persist in preventing sexual violence and providing justice for survivors.
As Buchi begins his life sentence, the Lagos State judiciary continues to articulate a firm stance that sexual offences will be met with severe penalties. The case serves both as a legal precedent within the state’s Special Offences jurisdiction and as a broader statement about accountability for those who betray positions of trust to commit violent crimes.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments