A 22-year-old teacher, identified only as Prosper, at the Blessed Peace School in Egbeda, Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, has been arrested and detained by the Lagos State Police Command for allegedly sodomizing a 10-year-old male student.
According to an investigation by PUNCH Metro, the suspect allegedly lured the victim to a secluded spot in the school on October 18, 2024, under the pretext of taking him to a spelling bee and art competition where he would win millions of naira and possibly travel abroad.
An eyewitness revealed that the suspect instructed the pupil to behave like a girl and remove his trousers before committing the alleged crime.
The eyewitness narrated, “The teacher raped the boy at the school, convincing him by saying he would be enrolled in an art competition where they would win a substantial amount of money. He took the boy to a class and ordered him to act like a girl. He then told him to pull his trousers down and close his eyes. He penetrated this boy and told him he should not tell anyone, assuring him that he would win the competition.”
Prosper was apprehended on November 13, 2024, while attempting to commit a similar act with another 11-year-old pupil. The latter pupil’s parents reported the incident after their child expressed reluctance to attend school, leading to a thorough investigation by the school management and other teachers.
A source disclosed that Prosper’s interest in the initial victim was discovered after questioning other pupils. “A teacher recalled that the suspect often showed particular interest in one boy, frequently buying him gifts and giving him preferential treatment. It was at this point that the survivor confessed that the suspect had lured him with promises of a spelling bee and art competition, claiming he would win N2m and be taken abroad.”
The Idimu Division police initially handled the case before being transferred to the Police Gender Unit for prosecution.
However, concerns have been raised about potential hindrances to the prosecution.
Mrs. Ololade Ajayi, founder of DOHS Cares Foundation, an NGO combating gender-based violence, expressed concerns about the delay in sending the case to court.
“Since the case was transferred to the Gender Unit, it has not been sent to court,” Ajayi said in a telephone conversation. “I visited their office last Wednesday to inquire about the case. When I asked why it hadn’t been transferred, the inspector in charge explained that the unit was still conducting a preliminary investigation and that the boy’s mother had not returned. I informed the investigating police officer that the family was financially struggling and offered to cover the transport costs to the crime scene whenever they were ready. She assured me that she would call on Friday.”
Ajayi further stated, “On Friday, I called her to check if they were ready to go so I could arrange an Uber to take them to the crime scene, but she told me she was going somewhere else and would not be coming. I suspect there may be foul play involved.”
Chief Superintendent of Police Gladys Faniyi, head of the Idimu Police Division, confirmed the case had been referred to the Police Gender Unit. “I have referred the case to the Gender Department. If you need any information, please direct your enquiries to that department,” Faniyi stated.
