A 31-year-old man , Sunday Akpeji, was Wednesday sentenced to nine years in the correctional centre without an option of fine, by a Magistrate Court sitting at Igara,Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State for raping a seven-year-old girl.
Akpeji,who is said to be a security guard at the house of his victim will serve his term at the Auchi Correctional Centre.He was sentenced on a one-count charge of unlawfully defilement.
The Magistrate, Nosa Musoe, said that all the evidences tendered in court were sufficient to convict the accused.
According to him: “The prosecutor’s evidence is overwhelming and l hereby fine the defendant guilty, charge and convict him as following.
“I sentence the defendant to nineyears in prison with hard labour without any option of fine,” the magistrate said.
The Prosecutor, Obeze Samuel, told the court that the convict committed the offence on Aug 19 at night time, at Ufa quarter along Enwan/Ososo Road in Igarra.
According to the prosecutor, the offence is punishable Under Section 218 of the Criminal Code,Cap 48, Vol. 11, Laws of the Defunct Bendel State of Nigeria 1976 as applicable in Edo State.
Reacting to the judgment, the Executive Director BraveHeart Initiative (BHI) Priscilla Usiobaifo the non governmental organisation that reported the matter to the police lauded the conviction but urged the state to “take urgent steps in the protection of our children especially the girl child.”
