A Rivers State Family Court in Port Harcourt has convicted and sentenced a 75-year-old man, Promise Chukwumatti, to 10 years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine for defiling an 11-year-old girl, bringing to a close a child sexual abuse case that sparked outrage.
The trial judge,Justice Rita Oguguo , also ordered the convict to pay N1 million in compensation to the victim’s family and directed that his name be entered into the state’s sex offenders register.
Chukwumatti, who was arraigned on a one-count charge bordering on the defilement of a minor, was found guilty after the court considered the evidence presented by the prosecution.
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.
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