A Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has sentenced a 25-year-old man, Jerry Njoku, to seven years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling a 10-year-old girl.
Delivering judgment on June 30, Justice Rita Oguguo held that the prosecution successfully proved the charge against the defendant.
The court ordered that the seven-year sentence run concurrently and directed the convict to pay N5 million to the victim’s family for her upkeep.
Speaking after the judgment, the prosecution counsel, Precious Ordu of the Rivers State Ministry of Justice, described the ruling as a welcome development and a deterrent to others who may consider committing similar offences.
According to Ordu, the judgment serves the interest of justice and underscores the consequences of crimes against minors.
