Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court has sentenced David Oddion, a Social Studies teacher at Hilltop Grade International School (HGIS), to life imprisonment.
The sentence, delivered today, Tuesday, 27 January 2026, marks the end of a harrowing trial that exposed a predatory pattern of abuse within the walls of a private school in Lekki.
The court heard how Oddion weaponized his role as an educator to isolate his victim. Under the guise of “exam corrections,” he targeted a Grade 3 pupil, keeping her alone in his classroom while other students were dismissed.
Oddion set aside failed exam scripts for five students. The victim was the third called in. Once alone, Oddion sexually assaulted her.
The case came to light only when the 8-year-old victim told her mother that her teacher was “weird.” This spark of intuition led to a full disclosure of months of digital penetration and indecent touching.
Initially defiant, Oddion confessed to the crimes after the school’s head teacher, Mrs. Linda, confronted him, stating that “only the truth would set him free.”
Despite pleas from the defense for “mercy” on the basis that Oddion was a first-time offender and a university student, Justice Oshodi was uncompromising.
“Teachers are meant to be guardians of our children’s future, not the architects of their trauma.” — Justice Rahman Oshodi
The Judicial Penalties:
Life Imprisonment: For sexual assault by penetration.
Seven-Year Concurrent Sentence: For the indecent treatment of a child.
The Register of Shame: Oddion’s name will be permanently inscribed in the Lagos State Sexual Offenders Register.
Restitution: The court ordered significant financial restitution to the victim’s family to fund long-term psychological therapy.
The ruling has ignited a nationwide demand for structural reform in the education sector. Child rights advocacy groups, are now calling for:
Mandatory Vetting: Regular criminal and psychological evaluations for all school staff.
Safe Channels: The creation of anonymous, child-friendly reporting systems in every school.
Deterrence: Ensuring the law acts as a shield for the vulnerable, regardless of a perpetrator’s status.
“This life sentence isn’t just about punishment; it’s about protection. It tells every predator hiding behind a desk that their time is up. We hope this gives the victim some measure of peace, though the road to healing is long. We must now turn our focus to prevention.” – Ememchukwu Osondu, Child Rights Advocate
