The Children, Sexual and Gender-based Violence Court in High Court, Awka, Anambra State, handed down a 10-year prison sentence to Kenneth Nwangu, a middle-aged man found guilty of defiling his nine-year-old daughter.
The verdict, delivered on Monday, followed a rigorous prosecution by the state government, supported by compelling evidence establishing Nwangu’s culpability in the heinous crime.
Nwangu faced a three-count charge, resulting in a seven-year imprisonment for the first count of engaging in sexual intercourse with a minor, as per Section 34 of the Child Rights Law of Anambra State.
He received two years for inflicting physical harm and one year for causing emotional and psychological abuse, under Sections 4 and 16 of the Violence Against Persons, Prohibition, and Protection Laws of Anambra State.
During the trial, the court considered testimonies from prosecution witnesses, including the victim herself. It also noted that Nwangu had been the sole carer for the child since his wife’s departure, approximately a year prior.
Given the severity of the crimes, the court afforded Nwangu an opportunity to provide a rationale for his actions and justify a lighter sentence. Initially denying the charges, he later confessed to the crime and appealed for leniency. His defence counsel echoed this plea, highlighting his status as a first-time offender and his sole custody of the victim.
The court ordered the concurrent serving of the prison terms and mandated that the victim remain under the care of the Anambra State Government.
In response, Prof. Sylvia Ifemeje, the Anambra State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, lauded the judgement as a significant deterrent against sexual offenses. She reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to eradicating such crimes, emphasising a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual assaults.
