A magistrate court sitting in Igarra, Akoko-Edo local government area of Edo state has convicted one Joseph Okoye, 45 years for sexually defiling a four year old girl in the area and sentenced him to three years imprisonment.
Also, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in Edo State has secured the conviction of 37 year 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 he was jailed 10 years via 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, BraveHeart Initiative for Youth & Women (BHI).
In August 2014, Okoye a Palm wine seller was said to have lured the minor from her great grandmother’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 said the sanction was minimal as the convict is a first time offender.
