School bus driver bags life imprisonment for sexually assaulting minor

Tony Akpan, a school bus driver has been sentenced to life imprisonment, by an Ikeja Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Court, yesterday, for sexually assaulting a five-year-old pupil.

Justice Abiola Soladoye pronounced that the prosecution had verifiable evidence against Akpan and his accomplice, Itoro Wilson, the school bus assistant.

The judge has sentenced the said accomplice, Wilson to two years imprisonment for assisting the convict to evade justice.

The judge said: “There is overwhelming evidence before the court. The testimony of the survivor is truthful and boldly narrated by her. The medical doctor’s testimony also corroborated what she said.

“The first defendant is hereby found guilty as charged contrary to the provisions of Section 261 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State and is hereby sentenced to life imprisonment.

“The first defendant should have his name entered in the Sex Offenders Register of the Lagos State Government.”

The judge declared that the second defendant was supposed to have spoken up and not hide the truth.

“The punishment meted out to this defendant will serve as a deterrent to others out there. The second defendant is hereby sentenced to two years’ imprisonment for  felony.”

The judge also told Roy Mind Favour Filled School, Unilag Estate, Magodo Isheri where the survivor attended to employ responsible staff.

The judge held: “The school in question should recruit responsible staff. That Roy Mind Favour Filled School is not making a free service.

“The parents must get value for the money they pay. Miscreants should not be on the payroll of any responsible school. Children are meant to be protected and not be subjected to any assault whatsoever.”