A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has sentenced Jerry Njoku, a man believed to be between 25 and 30 years old, to seven years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling a 10-year-old girl.
Delivering judgment, Justice Rita Oguguo held that the prosecution proved the charge of defilement against the convict beyond a reasonable doubt.
In addition to the prison sentence, the court ordered Njoku to pay a fine of ₦5 million directly to the victim’s family to support the child’s welfare and upkeep.
Following the judgment, defence counsel declined to comment on the ruling.
However, the prosecution counsel, Precious Ordu, a Chief State Counsel in the Rivers State Ministry of Justice, welcomed the judgment, describing it as being in the best interest of both the victim and the state.
Ordu said the verdict should serve as a strong deterrent to individuals who engage in sexual offences against children.
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