A Rivers State Family court sitting in Port Harcourt has convicted and sentenced a 75-year-old man, Promise Chukwumatti to ten years imprisonment without option of fine for defiling an 11-year-old girl.
The court also ordered that the convict should pay the sum of N1million to the family of the minor as compensation and that his name should be included in the list of rapist in the state.
Chukwumatti was charged with one count of defilement of a minor.
The trial Judge, Justice Rita Oguguo in her judgement, held that the prosecution has through oral, confessional statement and evidence presented before the court proven beyond every reasonable doubt that the convict committee the offence.
The convict was said to have had carnal knowledge with the minor in his apartment several times after luring her with unspecified amount of money while on her way to school.
The court in the judgment on Wednesday agreed with the prosecution counsel from Rivers State Ministry of Justice, Precious Ordu, that the defendant (now convict), Promise Chukwumatti actually committed the crime against the preteen.
Justice Oguguo, said although the convict had pleaded for leniency, the law is straight, saying such offence attracts life imprisonment.
She, however, said the court considers the children of the convict who are without a mother, hence the Septuagenarian was slammed with ten years imprisonment without an option of fine.
The court while describing the convict as a shame to fatherhood, issued a restraining order against him and his family from going close to the victim’s family.
Our correspondent reports that while counsel to the convict declined comments on the judgment, the prosecution counsel, Chief State Counsel from the Ministry of Justice,
Precious Ordu,hailed the judgment, saying It will serve as deterrent to those who intend to engage in such crime.
Ordu stated, “The Honourable Justice Rita C. Oguguo just delivered a judgment in the offence of defilement where a 75-year-old man defiled a girl of eleven years; a girl that ought to be his grand daughter.
“So the Court in its wisdom delivered the judgement today and also sentenced the defendant to ten years in imprisonment and a fine of N1 million to be paid to the victim’s family.
“It is a good judgement and justice for the state and the victim. The Court also ordered that the name of the defendant should be included in the list of defilement offenders, that is rapist in the state
“This judgment will also make others who have the intention of going into the offence of defilement to stay away from minors.”
