Rivers Court Sentences Man to Seven Years, Orders ₦5 Million Compensation for Defiled Minor
The Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has sentenced a 25-year-old man, Jerry Njoku, to seven years’ imprisonment with hard labour after finding him guilty of defiling a 10-year-old girl.
Delivering judgment, Justice Rita Oguguo held that the prosecution had established the charge beyond reasonable doubt and consequently convicted the defendant. 
In addition to the prison sentence, the court ordered Njoku to pay ₦5 million in compensation to the victim’s family. Justice Oguguo ruled that the prison sentence would run concurrently, while the compensation must be paid to the victim’s family.
Reacting to the judgment, the prosecuting counsel and Chief State Counsel in the Rivers State Ministry of Justice, Precious Ordu, described the verdict as a significant step in the fight against sexual offences. She expressed confidence that the judgment would serve as a deterrent to others who engage in similar crimes.
The defence counsel, however, declined to comment on the court’s decision.
