Wednesday, July 1, 2026 - A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has convicted and sentenced a 25-year-old man, Jerry Njoku, to seven years in prison with hard labour for defiling a 10-year-old girl.
Delivering judgement on Tuesday, the trial judge, Rita
Oguguo, also ordered the convict to pay the sum of N5m to the family of the
minor for her upkeep.
Justice Oguguo held that the prosecution was able to prove
the case of defilement against the convict, Jerry Njoku, and sentenced him to
seven years with hard labour, to run concurrently, and a fine of N5m, which
must be paid to the victim’s family.
Our correspondent reports that while the defence counsel
declined to comment on the judgement, the prosecution counsel, Precious Ordu,
who is a chief state counsel from the Rivers State Ministry of Justice,
described the judgement as a welcome development.
Ordu said the judgment is justice for the state, the victim
and the convict, insisting that it will serve as a deterrent to those planning
to engage in such a wicked act.
He stated, “Well, it’s an offence of defilement, and the
court today gave a judgment that is so overwhelming.
“I’m sure both the state, the defendant, and the victim have
also benefited from the judgment. The court gave a seven-year sentence to the
defendant with hard labour and a fine of N5m to be paid to the victim’s family
for the upkeep of the girl, the victim herself.
“It is a welcome development that, at least, those who have
the intention of defiling minors will also sit up and control their urge.”
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