A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has sentenced 25-year-old Jerry Njoku to seven years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling a 10-year-old girl.
Delivering judgment, Justice Rita Oguguo convicted Njoku after the prosecution successfully proved the case of defilement against him.
The judge also ordered the convict to pay the sum of N5 million to the victim’s family as compensation for her upkeep.
The court ruled that the seven-year jail term with hard labour should run concurrently.
Also Read: http://Family Blames Faulty Boat for Death of Two Siblings in Rivers
Justice Oguguo described the offence as grave and deserving of stiff punishment to protect vulnerable children.
Our correspondent reports that defence counsel declined to comment on the judgment. However, prosecution counsel, Precious Ordu, a Chief State Counsel in the Ministry of Justice, hailed the verdict as a welcome development.
“This judgment will benefit the state, the victim, and even the accused,” Ordu said. “It will serve as a strong deterrent to those contemplating such despicable acts to control their urges.”
He added that the judgement is a clear message that sexual offences against minors will not be tolerated in the state.
