A man, Kenneth Nwangwu, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison by the Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Court sitting at the High Court, Awka, Anambra State, for defiling his nine-year-old daughter, his only child.
The judgement was delivered in a three-count charge brought against the defendant by the state government.
He was consequently sentenced to seven years in prison on count one – having sexual intercourse with a child – punishable under Section 34 of the Child Rights Law of Anambra State of Nigeria 2004.
The court also sentenced him to two years in prison on count two – inflicting physical injuries on his victim – and one year in prison on count three – causing emotional and psychological abuse on the victim.
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The court relied on evidence presented by prosecution witnesses, including the victim, and also took cognizance of evidence that the defendant had been taking care of the victim from about one year after the mother left him.
The court gave the defendant opportunity to explain why he was raping his child and should not be given life imprisonment.
The defendant initially denied defiling his child, but later admitted to the crime and pleaded for leniency. His counsel also pleaded mercy on the premise that he was a first-time offender, had the victim as his only child, among others.
The court then ordered that the seven, two and one-year prison terms should run concurrently, and that the victim should remain in the care of the Anambra State Government.
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