The Children, Sexual and Gender-based Violence Court in Awka, Anambra State, on Monday, sentenced middle-aged man Kenneth Nwangu to 10 years in prison for defiling his only child, a nine-year-old girl.
The state government had filed three counts against the defendant, and when strong evidence proved his guilt, judgment was served on all three counts.
He was found guilty on count one of the charges, which was having sex with a nine-year-old, a violation covered by Section 34 of the Child Rights Law of Anambra State, Nigeria, 2004. For this conduct, he was sentenced to seven years in prison.
In addition, the court sentenced the defendant to one year in prison for inflicting mental and psychological abuse on the victim and two years in prison for inflicting bodily injuries on the victim. Both acts are punishable under Section 4 and 16 of the 2017 Anambra State, Nigeria, Violence Against Persons, Prohibition and Protection Laws.
In reaching its decision, the court considered testimony from prosecution witnesses, including the victim, and also considered evidence suggesting that the defendant had been caring for the child for almost a year following his separation with the child's mother.
The accused confessed to the crime and asked for forgiveness. His defence attorney also asked the court to show mercy, citing the defendant as a first-time offender and the fact that the victim was his only child, among other reasons.
The victim is still under the care of the Anambra State Government, per the court's decision, and the jail terms of seven, two, and one year are to be served consecutively.
Prof. Sylvia Ifemeje, the Anambra State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, who oversaw the prosecution team in the case, responded to the ruling by calling it a positive step that will discourage future perpetrators.
