75-year-old man jailed 10 years for defiling minor

A Rivers State Family Court sitting 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. Delivering judgment on Wednesday, the trial judge, Justice Rita Oguguo, also ordered the convict to pay N1 million in compensation to the […]

A Rivers State Family Court sitting 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.

Delivering judgment on Wednesday, 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 was found to have repeatedly had carnal knowledge of the minor in his apartment after allegedly luring her with money while she was on her way to school.

He was arraigned on a one-count charge of defilement of a minor.

In her judgment, Justice Oguguo held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt through oral testimony, the defendant’s confessional statement and other evidence presented before the court.

The court agreed with the prosecution counsel from the Rivers State Ministry of Justice, Precious Ordu, that the defendant committed the offence against the preteen.

Justice Oguguo noted that although the convict pleaded for leniency, the offence ordinarily attracts life imprisonment under the law.

She, however, said the court considered the welfare of the convict’s children, who are without a mother, and consequently sentenced the septuagenarian to 10 years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine.

Describing the convict as a disgrace to fatherhood, the court also issued a restraining order barring him and members of his family from having any contact with the victim’s family.

Speaking after the judgment, the defence counsel declined to comment, while the prosecution counsel, Chief State Counsel at the Rivers State Ministry of Justice, Precious Ordu, hailed the verdict, saying it would serve as a deterrent to others who might contemplate similar crimes.