A Family Court sitting in Port Harcourt has sentenced 75-year-old Promise Chukwumatti to ten years imprisonment without an option of fine for defiling an 11-year-old girl.
The court also ordered the convict to pay one million naira as compensation to the victim’s family and directed that his name be entered into the Rivers State register of sex offenders.
Mr. Chukwumatti was arraigned on a one-count charge of defilement. Delivering judgment, Justice Rita Oguguo held that the prosecution, led by Chief State Counsel Precious Ordu of the Rivers State Ministry of Justice, proved its case beyond reasonable doubt through oral evidence, confessional statement, and other materials presented in court.
The court heard that the elderly man repeatedly had carnal knowledge of the minor in his apartment after luring her with money on her way to school.
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Justice Oguguo noted that the offence ordinarily attracts life imprisonment but opted for a lesser term after considering the plight of the convict’s motherless children.
She, however, described Chukwumatti as “a shame to fatherhood” and issued a restraining order barring him and his family from approaching the victim’s family.
While counsel to the convict declined comments on the judgment, the prosecution welcomed the verdict, describing it as a strong deterrent to would-be child defilers.
