Court jails 25-year-old man 7 years for defiling 10-year-old in Rivers

A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has sentenced 25-year-old Jerry Njoku to seven years’ imprisonment with hard labour for defiling a ten-year-old minor.

Delivering judgement, trial judge Justice Rita Oguguo held that the prosecution had successfully proved the case of defilement against Njoku, sentencing him to seven years’ imprisonment with hard labour. The judge also ordered the convict to pay the sum of five million naira as compensation to the family of the minor for her upkeep.

While the defence counsel declined to comment on the judgment, the prosecution counsel, Precious Ordu, a Chief State Counsel with the Ministry of Justice, described the verdict as a welcome development, saying it would serve the interests of the state, the victim and the convict alike.

Ordu expressed confidence that the judgment would serve as a deterrent to persons harbouring intentions of defiling minors, urging such individuals to exercise restraint.

“It’s a welcome development. At least those that have intentions of defiling minors will also sit up and control their urge.

“I’m sure this thing is not ordinary, for a girl of 10 years to be defiled. The girl was not only defiled but molested; she was really destroyed.

“The court, in its wisdom, gave a judgment of seven years with hard labour and a fine of five million naira. It’s a welcome development.”