On Monday, the Children, Sexual, and Gender-based Violence Court, sitting in the High Court of Awka, Anambra State, sentenced Kenneth Nwangu, a middle-aged man, to 10 years imprisonment for the egregious crime of defiling his nine-year-old daughter, who was his only child.
The verdict came following a three-count charge leveled against the defendant by the state government, supported by compelling evidence that established his guilt beyond doubt.
For the first count of having sexual intercourse with a minor, punishable under Section 34 of the Child Rights Law of Anambra State of Nigeria 2004, Nwangu received a seven-year prison term.
Additionally, he was sentenced to two years imprisonment for inflicting physical injuries on his victim (count two) and one year for causing emotional and psychological abuse (count three), under Sections 4 and 16 of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition and Protection Laws of Anambra State of Nigeria 2017.
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The court’s decision was based on the testimony of prosecution witnesses, including the victim herself, and took into account the defendant’s role in caring for the child following the departure of her mother.
During the proceedings, Nwangu initially denied the charges, shifting blame to a woman he entrusted his daughter to.
However, he later confessed to the crime and pleaded for leniency, citing his status as a first-time offender and his paternal relationship with the victim.
In response to the judgment, the Anambra State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Sylvia Ifemeje, expressed satisfaction, emphasizing the ruling’s importance in deterring future offenders.
She reiterated the state government’s unwavering commitment to combating sexual offenses, emphasizing its zero-tolerance policy in this regard.
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