Court Sentences Final-Year Student to 35 Years for Child Rape and Abuse
The Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Court sitting at the High Court in Awka, Anambra State, has sentenced a 27-year-old final-year Mass Communication student, Wisdom Edem, to a total of 35 years in prison for raping, sexually abusing and physically injuring a 10-year-old girl.
Edem was convicted on a three-count charge in Charge No. A/3C/2024, The State vs. Wisdom Edem, by Justice Peace Otti on Wednesday.
The court sentenced him to 25 years’ imprisonment for rape, five years for sexual abuse and exploitation, and another five years for inflicting physical injury on the child.
The charges were brought under Section 34(2) of the Child’s Rights Law of Anambra State, 2004; Section 35(2) of the same law; and Section 4(1) of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law, Anambra State, 2017.
The prosecution, led by Principal State Counsel of the Anambra State Ministry of Justice, Chinelo Akorah, called six witnesses and tendered several exhibits, including the defendant’s confessional statement and a medical report.
The 10-year-old victim, who testified as PW1, told the court that Edem deceived her into visiting his house under the pretext of participating in a comedy skit.
According to the prosecution, the girl had previously acted with Edem and others and therefore went to his house with her younger sister. Upon their arrival, Edem allegedly sent the younger sister home to get a change of clothes for the victim before directing the girl into his room, claiming that other people were waiting there.
The prosecution said the girl found no one in the room and that Edem locked the door before sexually assaulting her, causing her to bleed.
A medical doctor who examined the victim on the same day testified in court and confirmed that she had suffered bleeding and injuries.
In his defence, Edem denied the allegations and claimed that the girl had seduced him. He alleged that the child removed his clothes, inserted his penis into her vagina and screamed. He also claimed that she told him she was 14 years old and had a boyfriend.
The court rejected the defence, holding that a child could not legally give consent to sexual activity. Justice Otti also dismissed the defendant’s claim that the victim had seduced him.
The judge noted that the evidence before the court, including the medical findings, supported the victim’s account. The court further held that the circumstances showed that the act had been premeditated and carefully planned.
Justice Otti said the victim’s testimony was fully corroborated by the defendant’s confessional statement, which admitted that the girl had come to his residence with her younger sister.
The prosecution’s case was further strengthened by the testimonies of PW2 to PW6, including a police officer and a vigilante member involved in the defendant’s arrest.
Although Edem had been granted bail and was present throughout his trial, he was absent from court when judgment was delivered. The judge proceeded to deliver the judgment in his absence in accordance with the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Anambra State.
The court subsequently issued a bench warrant for his arrest and ordered that he be declared wanted, with his photographs circulated to the police and online.
Justice Otti held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt through eyewitness testimony, circumstantial evidence and the defendant’s own confessional statement.
The court also directed Edem’s university not to issue him a certificate until he completes his prison sentence.
In addition, the defendant was ordered to pay N200,000 as compensation to the victim for the physical injury inflicted on her.
The court commended the Principal State Counsel and the Public Relations Officer of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) for their roles in securing the conviction.
The judgment underscores the state’s stated commitment to combating sexual and gender-based violence and ensuring that perpetrators are brought to justice.
