75-year-old man bags 10 years imprisonment for defiling minor in Rivers

A Rivers State Family Court has sentenced 75-year-old Promise Chukwumatti to ten years in prison for defiling 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 have his name added to the state's list of rapists.

Chukwumatti was charged with one count of defiling a minor. The presiding judge, Justice Rita Oguguo, stated that the prosecution had proven the offense beyond a reasonable doubt through oral testimony, a confessional statement, and other evidence. The court heard that Chukwumatti lured the girl into his apartment multiple times with money while she was on her way to school.

While acknowledging the convict's plea for leniency, Justice Oguguo emphasized the law's strictness regarding such offenses, which can carry a life sentence. However, considering the convict's children who are without a mother, the judge imposed the ten-year sentence without an option of a fine. The court also issued a restraining order preventing Chukwumatti and his family from approaching the victim's family.

Precious Ordu, the Chief State Counsel from the Ministry of Justice who prosecuted the case, hailed the judgment as a deterrent. Ordu noted that the sentence and the inclusion of Chukwumatti's name on the rapist list would discourage others from committing similar crimes against minors.

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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.