Ogona Anita
A Rivers State Family court sitting in Port Harcourt has sentenced a seventy-five year old man identified as PROMISE CHUKWUMATTI to ten year imprisonment without option of fine.
The court also ordered that the convict should pay the sum of one million naira to the family of the eleven year old girl as compensation and that his name should be included in the list of Rivers State rapist.
PROMISE CHUKWUMATTI was charged with one count of defilement of an eleven year old girl, a charged which the trial Judge, Justice RITA OGUGUO in her judgement, held that the prosecution has through oral, confessional statement and evidence presented before the court proven.
PROMISE CHUKWUMATTI is said to have had carnal intercourse with he minor in his apartment several time after gifting her some amount of money on her way to school.
The court in the judgment agreed with the prosecution counsel from Rivers State Ministry of Justice Chief State Counsel, PRECIOUS ORDU that PROMISE CHUKWUMATTI actually committed the crime against the eleven year old girl.
Justice RITA OGUGUO said although the convict has pleaded for leniency, but that the law is straight, that such offense attracts life imprisonment but that the court considers the children of the convict who are without mother in ordering ten years without option of fine.
The court while describing the convict as a shame to fatherhood, issued a restraining order against him and his family from going close to the victim”s family.
Our correspondent reports that while counsel to the convict declined to comment on the judgment, the prosecution counsel, Chief State Counsel, PRECIOUS ORDU from the Ministry of Justice welcomed the judgment which he said will serve as deterrent to those who intend to engage in such crime.
