75-Year-Old Man Sentenced To 10 Years In Prison For Defiling Minor In Rivers

A Rivers State Family Court sitting in Port Harcourt has sentenced a 75-year-old man, Promise Chukwumatti, to 10 years imprisonment without an option of fine for sexually abusing an 11-year-old girl.

The court, presided over by Justice Rita Oguguo, convicted Chukwumatti after finding that the prosecution had successfully established the one-count charge against him through oral evidence, his statements and other materials presented before the court.

The court heard that the convict repeatedly lured the minor with money while she was on her way to school and took advantage of her in his apartment.

Delivering judgment, Justice Oguguo said the law provides severe punishment for such an offence but noted that the court considered the circumstances surrounding the convict’s family, particularly the welfare of his children, in determining the sentence.

Although the convict pleaded for leniency, the court sentenced him to 10 years in prison without the option of a fine.

The judge also ordered Chukwumatti to pay N1 million as compensation to the victim’s family and directed that his name be entered into the Rivers State Sex Offenders’ Register.

The court further issued a restraining order preventing the convict and members of his family from having contact with the victim’s family.

Speaking after the judgment, prosecution counsel, Chief State Counsel Precious Ordu of the Rivers State Ministry of Justice, described the ruling as a positive development, saying it would discourage others from committing similar offences.

“It is a good judgment; I will take it in good faith. Justice has finally been served. The court also ordered that the name of the defendant should be included in the list of defilement offenders in the state. The judgment will serve as a way of making others who have intentions of committing the offence of defilement stay away from minors. This judgment will discourage them from carrying out this offence,” Ordu said.

Counsel to the convict declined to comment on the judgment.