The Children, Sexual and Gender-based Violence Court sitting at High Court Awka has sentenced a middle-aged man to ten years in jail for defiling his own nine years old daughter and only child.
The judgement was delivered in a three-count charge brought against the defendant, one Kenneth Nwangwu, by the state government, when it noted compelling evidences proved that the defendant is guilty as charged, and consequently sentenced him to seven years imprisonment on count one of the charges – having sexual intercourse with a nine-year old child, offence punishable under section thirty-four of the Child Rights Law of Anambra State of Nigeria 2004.
The court also sentenced the defendant to two years imprisonment on count two – inflicting physical injuries on his victim, and one year imprisonment on count three – causing emotional and psychological abuse on the victim, offences punishable under sections four and sixteen of the Violence Against Persons, Prohibition and Protection, Laws of Anambra State of Nigeria 2017.
In sentencing the defendant, the court relied on evidences presented by prosecution witnesses; including the victim and also took cognizance of evidences that the defendant had been taking care of the victim from about one year after the mother left them, among others and gave the defendant opportunity to explain why he was raping his child, and should not be given maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Responding, the defendant initially denied defiling his child and claimed that it was a woman he usually left the child with after the wife left them that got him arrested with the police over the allegation.
He however, later admitted guilt and pleaded for leniency, and his defense counsel also pleaded for the mercy of the court, pointing out that the defendant was a first time offender and has the victim as his only child, among others.
The court ordered that the seven, two- and one-year prison terms should run concurrently, and that the victim be still kept in the care of the Anambra State Government.
Speaking after the judgement, the Anambra State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Professor Sylvia Ifemeje, who led the prosecution team in the case, said the judgement is a welcome development, and would serve as a deterrent to other rapists, maintaining that the state zero tolerance for sexual assaults is not negotiable.
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