A Bayelsa State High Court sitting in Yenagoa has sentenced 33-year-old, Amaebi Joseph Amasa of Otuabula II Community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, to 20 years’ imprisonment for raping a fourteen-year-old girl.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, February 12, 2026 in Suit No. BYHC/OG/CR/6/2025, Hon. Justice (Dr.) S.W Amaduobogha ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt, convicting the defendant under the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law of Bayelsa State, 2021.
The crime occurred on October 24, 2024, at the convict’s residence in Otuabula II. The minor was on an errand for her sister when the convict lured her into his room by sending her to purchase cooking salt for him. Upon her return, he locked the door, threatened her with a machete and a gun and raped her.
Reacting to the judgement, Bayelsa State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Biriyai Dambo, SAN welcomed the verdict, describing it as further proof of the government’s efforts to curb sexual and gender-based violence and give justice to vulnerable victims in Bayelsa State.
The Attorney-General also commended the prosecution team for their commitment to prosecuting gender-based violence cases in the State.
The lead prosecutor, Deputy Director in the Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Pere Amanda Egbuson Esq. expressed satsisfaction with the verdict and urged the public to report incidents of sexual abuse promptly to the relevant authorities, stressing that timely report of the incident and swift medical attention assisted the prosecution in the case.
She further noted that this is the second rape conviction in Bayelsa State in three days, reflecting a tougher stance against sexual violence.
