A 45-year-old Lagos pastor, Ndukwe Ogbu, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for the defilement of his 14-year-old biological daughter.

Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe of the Ikeja Special Offences Court delivered the verdict on Monday, finding Ogbu guilty on three counts: defilement, sexual assault, and sexual assault by penetration.

According to the prosecution, the abuse began in 2019 and was uncovered after the survivor confided in a schoolteacher, who alerted a social worker, Femi Oyeleke. Oyeleke reported the case to the police, leading to Ogbu’s arrest.

During the trial, which began in October 2021, the court heard from three prosecution witnesses, including a medical doctor, whose findings supported the survivor’s testimony.

In her ruling, Justice Abike-Fadipe stated:

“The defendant is found guilty on all three counts. He is sentenced to three years on count one and 25 years each on counts two and three. The sentences shall run concurrently and take effect from December 2019, when he was first remanded.”

Ogbu, who testified as his only defense witness, denied the allegations and claimed he was not at home during the incidents. However, he admitted to living with the victim at the time. His plea for leniency, citing his other children, was rejected due to lack of remorse.