By PAMELA, EBOH, Awka

A Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Court in Awka, Anambra State, has convicted a 27-year-old final-year Mass Communication student, Wisdom Edem for defiling a 10-year-old girl.

Information has it that the Edem allegedly lured the underage girl to his house under the guise of featuring in a comedy skit.

The convict, Wisdom Edem, was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment for defilement, five years for sexual abuse and exploitation and another five years for inflicting physical injury on the victim.

Justice Peace Otti found the defendant guilty on a three-count charge brought against him by the Anambra State Government in Charge No. A/3C/2024.

The charges include, defilement, contrary to Section 34(2) of the Child’s Rights Law of Anambra State, 2004; sexual abuse and exploitation, contrary to Section 35(2) of the same law; and inflicting physical injury, contrary to Section 4(1) of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law of Anambra State, 2017.

During the sitting, the prosecution, led by Principal State Counsel, Mrs Chinelo Akorah, called six witnesses and tendered documentary evidence, including the defendant’s confessional statement and a medical report.

Narrating her ordeal, the victim, who testified as the first prosecution witness, told the court that the defendant invited her to his residence on the pretext of participating in a comedy skit.

She said she went there with her younger sister because she had previously featured in similar skits with the defendant and others.

According to her, the defendant sent her younger sister away on an errand before leading her into a room, where he allegedly locked the door and raped her, causing injuries.

A medical doctor who examined the child on the same day confirmed before the court that she sustained injuries consistent with sexual assault.

In his defence, the defendant denied the allegations and claimed that the child initiated the sexual act.

Dismissing the defence, Justice Otti held that under the law a child cannot give consent to sexual intercourse.

The judge described the offence as premeditated, saying, “The victim’s testimony was corroborated by the defendant’s confessional statement and other evidence presented by the prosecution.

“The prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt through eyewitness testimony, medical evidence, circumstantial evidence and the defendant’s confession.”

Meanwhile, the defendant, who had been on bail during the trial, was absent when judgment was delivered.

Justice Otti however proceeded with the judgment in line with the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Anambra State, issuing a bench warrant for his arrest and ordered that he be declared wanted.

The court also directed that his photographs be circulated to the police and published to facilitate his arrest.

The judge further ordered the defendant’s university not to issue him a certificate until he completes his prison term, even as he also ordered him to pay N200,000 as compensation to the victim for the physical injuries she sustained.