IGARRA – A magistrate court sitting in Igarra, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo state had convicted one Joseph Okoye 45 years and sentenced him to three years imprisonment with hard labour for sexually defiling a four years old girl in the area.
Meanwhile, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in Edo State had secured the conviction of 37 yeard old Favour Eboigbe for trafficking contrary to sections 15a, 16 and 19b of Trafficking in Persons (prohibition) Law Enforcement and Administration Act, 2003 as amended.
A statement by the Agency’s spokesperson, Nduka Nwanwene said Favour was jailed 10 years vide charge No FHC/B/24C/2009 by Justice Okeke for trafficking six girls through Burkina Faso for prostitution.
The conviction of Okoye in Igarra was initiated by a Non-Governmental Organization, Brave Heart Initiative for Youth & Women (BHI).
In August 2014, Okoye a Palm wine seller was said to have lured the minor from her great grand mother’s apartment, and then took her to his shop, where he was alleged to have sexually defiled her.
Examinations completed by the Chief Medical Director of the General Hospital, Igarra revealed that the victim was sexually abused as she suffered tearing of the vagina.
In the judgement, Chief Magistrate Prince M. Oare (ESQ) said “I have listened to the plea for leniency by the convict. I have also taken into consideration that the convict is a first time offender.
“However, taking the age of the victim into consideration, the act of the convict will not only be regarded as wicked, but evil. In this regard, an option of fine cannot be considered. The convict is accordingly sentenced to three years in Prison with hard labour. The term of Imprisonment is to commence from when he was admitted into Prison Custody in 2014, since bail was not granted,” the magistrate said.
Brave Heart Initiative was involved in the case from the onset with contact with the family of the girl to pledge support in line with BHI’s vision. The Intervention Team continued visits to the girl’s grandmother and family served as assurance that the victim would get justice for crime committed against her. During the trial, family members, activists and representatives from Brave Heart Initiative stood by the victim’s family as they persistently appeared at the Magistrate Court, Igarra awaiting justice.
