Court jails 25-year-old man 7 years for defiling 10-year-old in Rivers
Rivers State High Court Sentences Man for Defiling Minor
A Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has sentenced 25-year-old Jerry Njoku to seven years in prison with hard labor for the defilement of a 10-year-old girl.
Delivering the judgment, Justice Rita Ogugu stated that the prosecution had successfully established the case of defilement against Njoku. In addition to the prison sentence, the court ordered Njoku to pay five million naira to the victim’s family for her ongoing care and support.
The defense counsel did not provide comments regarding the ruling. However, Precious Ordu, a Chief State Counsel with the Ministry of Justice, described the verdict as a positive development that serves the interests of the victim, the convict, and the state.
Ordu emphasized that the judgment would deter potential offenders, urging individuals with such intentions to reconsider their actions. “It’s crucial for those who might consider defiling minors to control their urges,” he stated.
He added, “The case is particularly troubling, as a young girl of just 10 years has been subjected to such harm. The ruling of seven years with hard labor, coupled with the financial penalty, reflects the court’s serious stance on this matter.”