A Rivers State Family Court in Port Harcourt has found a 75-year-old man, Promise Chukwumatti, guilty of defiling an 11-year-old girl and sentenced him to ten years in prison with no option of a fine.
In addition to the jail term, the court directed the convict to pay N1 million in compensation to the victim’s family and ordered that his name be added to the state’s register of rapists.
Chukwumatti faced a single count of defilement of a child. Delivering judgment on Wednesday, Justice Rita Oguguo ruled that the prosecution successfully established the case beyond reasonable doubt through witness testimony, the defendant’s confessional statement, and other evidence presented in court.
The court heard that the elderly man repeatedly had sexual intercourse with the minor in his apartment after enticing her with money as she headed to school.
Although the convict begged for mercy, Justice Oguguo noted that the offence ordinarily carries a life sentence. She, however, opted for a lesser term of ten years after considering the fact that the convict’s children had already lost their mother.
The judge described the actions of the septuagenarian as “a shame to fatherhood” and issued a restraining order barring him and his family members from coming near the victim’s family.
While the defence counsel chose not to comment on the ruling, the prosecution counsel, Precious Ordu, a Chief State Counsel in the Rivers State Ministry of Justice, welcomed the outcome.
Ordu stated: “The Honourable Justice Rita C. Oguguo just delivered a judgment in the offence of defilement where a 75-year-old man defiled a girl of eleven years; a girl that ought to be his grand daughter.
“So the Court in its wisdom delivered the judgement today and also sentenced the defendant to ten years in imprisonment and a fine of N1 million to be paid to the victim’s family.
“It is a 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 rapist in the state.
“This judgment will also make others who have the intention of going into the offence of defilement to stay away from minors.”
The prosecutor added that the verdict would serve as a strong deterrent to others contemplating similar crimes against minors.