Lagos Proprietor Benson Arinze Gets Life Sentence for Child Defilement

Justice Abiola Soladoye, presiding over the Lagos State Domestic and S*xual Violence Court in Ikeja, has handed down a life sentence to Benson Arinze, the proprietor of Nurtured Brooks Nursery and Primary School in Ibeju-Lekki. Arinze was found guilty of a one-count charge of def!lement involving a six-year-old pupil, brought against him by the Lagos State government. During the trial, prosecutor Olanrewaju Adeoye informed the court that the young survivor, a student at Arinze's school in 2022, frequently remained on school premises after classes, awaiting her parents. Adeoye alleged that Arinze, alongside a teacher named Victor Uche Ezenwata, repeatedly s*xually assaulted the child. Specifically, the prosecutor detailed that Arinze inserted his finger into the victim's vagina, while Ezenwata engaged in other indecent acts. The horrific abuse came to light after the child confided in her mother, who then informed the father. The family subsequently reported the incident to the Elemoro Police Station. Initially, both Arinze and Ezenwata faced charges under section 261 of the Lagos State’s Criminal Law, 2015, pertaining to s*xual assault by penetration of a minor. Ezenwata was also charged with three additional counts, including s*xual assault by penetration, unlawful s*xual intercourse, and indecent treatment, under section 135 of the same law. Ezenwata opted for a plea bargain agreement with the state, pleading guilty to an amended charge presented on May 27, 2025. Justice Soladoye subsequently sentenced him to 18 years in prison. In contrast, Arinze maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings. However, the court found the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses, particularly those of the victim and her father, to be compelling and sufficient to prove Arinze's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Justice Soladoye dismissed the testimony provided by the defense witness as self-serving before imposing the life sentence. Furthermore, the court mandated that Arinze's name be added to the State's s*xual offenders register, which is managed by the Lagos State Government.