75-year-old jailed 10 years for defiling minor in Rivers

A Rivers State family court has sentenced a 75-year-old man, Promise Chukwumatti, to ten years in prison for the defilement of an 11-year-old girl. The court in Port Harcourt also mandated that Chukwumatti pay N1 million in compensation to the minor's family and be added to the state's registry of rapists.

The prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that Chukwumatti committed the offense, which involved luring the girl to his apartment and having carnal knowledge of her multiple times. The court agreed with the prosecution that the defendant had committed the crime against the preteen.

While the convict pleaded for leniency, the judge, Justice Rita Oguguo, noted that the law prescribes life imprisonment for such offenses. However, considering the convict's children, who are without a mother, the septuagenarian received a ten-year sentence without the option of a fine. The court also issued a restraining order against Chukwumatti and his family from approaching the victim's family.

The prosecution counsel hailed the judgment as a deterrent, stating, "This judgement will also make others who have the intention of going into the offence of defilement stay away from minors." The defense counsel declined to comment on the ruling.

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The Honourable Justice Rita C. Oguguo just delivered a judgement in the offence of defilement where a 75-year-old man defiled a girl of eleven years – a girl that ought to be his granddaughter. So the court in its wisdom delivered the judgement today and also sentenced the defendant to ten years in prison and a fine of N1 million to be paid to the victim’s family. It is 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, rapists, in the state. This judgement will also make others who have the intention of going into the offence of defilement stay away from minors.