The Children, Sexual and Gender-based Violence Court sitting at the Anambra State High Court in Awka has sentenced a middle aged man to 10 years imprisonment for defiling his own only daughter who is aged nine.
Delivering judgement in a three-count charge brought against the defendant, one Kenneth Nwangwu, by the state government, the court noted compelling evidence proving 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 9-year old child, offence punishable under section 34(2) 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 4(1) and 16(1) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition and Protection), VAP, Laws of Anambra State of Nigeria 2017.
Before sentencing the defendant, the court which relied on evidences by prosecution witnesses including the victim, 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, reason he gave the defendant opportunity to say why he defiled his child, and shouldn’t be given maximum sentence – life imprisonment.
But responding, the defendant maintained that he didn’t defile his child, that instead it was a woman he usually left the child with after the wife left them that got him arrested with the police over allegation.
He, however, later admitted guilt and pleaded for leniency, and his defense counsel also pleaded for the mercy of the court, saying that the defendant was a first time offender, has the victim as his only child, among others.
The court ordered that the seven, two and one year prison terms 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 deterrent to other rapists, maintaining that the state has zero tolerance for sexual assaults.
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