Caught in the Act: Lagos Pastor Sentenced to 25 Years for Defiling His Own Daughter.

Caught in the Act: Lagos Pastor Sentenced to 25 Years for Defiling His Own Daughter.

Crime & Punishment

The news as it trends.

On June 30, 2025, Pastor Ndukwe Ogbu was sentenced to 25 years in prison by a Lagos State Sexual Offences Court for repeatedly defiling his 14-year-old daughter.

The abuse began in 2019 and continued until the girl confided in a schoolteacher, who alerted social worker Femi Oyeleke.

Oyeleke reported the case to the police, leading to Ogbu’s arrest and prosecution.

The court found Ogbu guilty on three counts, including sexual assault by penetration.

The verdict was based on corroborated testimony from the victim, a medical doctor, and the social worker.

Despite denying the charges and pleading for leniency, the judge noted Ogbu’s lack of remorse and sentenced him to 25 years, backdated to December 2019 when he was first remanded.

This case has drawn attention not only for its horror but also for the role of Nigeria’s growing but under-resourced social services.

Social worker Femi Oyeleke’s swift action as a mandated reporter was a key factor in protecting the child from her abuser – her own father.

In a country where abuse often goes unreported, his timely intervention made all the difference.

After the victim confided in a schoolteacher, Oyeleke was alerted and immediately reported the case to the police, setting the justice process in motion.

While Nigeria’s child welfare infrastructure is still developing, organizations like UNICEF and Save the Children continue to work with government agencies to strengthen legal frameworks, train frontline professionals, and support vulnerable children across the country.

The sentencing of Pastor Ndukwe Ogbu is a rare but powerful example of justice served.

It was made possible because a teacher spoke up, a social worker acted, and the system responded.

It stands as a reminder that child protection in Nigeria, though imperfect, is real, evolving, and capable of delivering justice when all parts work together.