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 the option of a fine for defiling an 11-year-old girl.
The court also ordered that the convict should pay the sum of N1m to the family of the minor as compensation and that his name should be included in the list of rapists in the state.
Chukwumatti was charged with one count of defilement of a minor.
The trial judge, Justice Rita Oguguo, in her judgment, held that the prosecution had, through oral, confessional statements and evidence presented before the court, proved beyond every reasonable doubt that the convict committed the offence.
The convict was said to have had carnal knowledge with the minor in his apartment several times after luring her with an unspecified amount of money while on her way to school.
The court in the judgment on Wednesday agreed with the prosecution counsel from the Rivers State Ministry of Justice, Precious Ordu, that the defendant (now convict), Promise Chukwumatti, committed the crime against the preteen.
Justice Oguguo said that although the convict had pleaded for leniency, the law is clear, saying such an offence attracts life imprisonment.
She, however, said the court considers the children of the convict who are without a mother; hence, the septuagenarian was sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment without an option of a 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,
Meanwhile, Ordu hailed the judgement, saying it would serve as a deterrent to those who intend to engage in such a crime.
Ordu stated, “The Honourable Justice Rita C. Oguguo just delivered a judgement in the offence of defilement where a 75-year-old man defiled a girl of eleven years – a girl that ought to be his granddaughter.
“So the court in its wisdom delivered the judgement today and also sentenced the defendant to ten years in prison and a fine of N1 million to be paid to the victim’s family.
“It is 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, rapists, in the state.
“This judgement will also make others who have the intention of going into the offence of defilement stay away from minors.”
