ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Edo High Court sitting in Auchi on Thursday, sentenced a man identified as Taofeek Isah to death by hanging, for assaulting 20-year old Blessing Ezekiel.
Also, the court sentenced three other persons, Jeremiah Okamudu, Godwin Adeyemi, and Miracle Pius, to jail terms, ranging from four to 19 years in Edo State.
The convicts were brought before the court on a five-count charge of rape, kidnapping, attack with harmful substance, inflicting physical injury and unlawful trial by ordeal.
In his judgment, the presiding judge, Justice Philip Imoedemhe, sentenced Isah, the first defendant to death; Jeremiah Okamudu, the second defendant to four years imprisonment without the option of fine, while Miracle Pius, the fourth defendant was jailed for 19 years without the option of fine.
Justice Imoedemhe held that all the evidence tendered before the court convinced him beyond reasonable doubt that the first, second and fourth defendants were guilty of the crimes.
Imoedemhe ordered that Isah be hanged to death while the other convicts be taken to the Auchi Correctional Centre to serve their jail terms.
The lead prosecutor from the Edo State Ministry of Justice, Clement Eseigbe, had during the trial, submitted that Isah connived with three of his friends to kidnap, gang rape and grievously assault a 20-year old Blessing Ezekiel.
The prosecutors said the defendants committed the offence on 22 October, 2021, at Okpella Community in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.
“The defendants did rub pepper into the vagina of Blessing and inflicted physical injury on her by beating her with a cutlass, wood and other dangerous objects,” another prosecutor, Adekutu said.
The offences committed “are contrary to Section 4 and punishable under Section 5 (1), (B), Section 25 (1) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law 2021,” he said.
The court in a similar case, also sentenced a 61-year-old man, Taiwo Buoro, to 10 years imprisonment for raping a 12-years old girl.
Justice Imoedemhe in his judgment sentenced Buoro without an option of fine.
It was gathered that Buoro, a farmer committed the offence on 19 September, 2021, at Ososo in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State.
The offence is contrary to Section 4 and punishable under Section 5 (1) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law of Edo State 2021.
Reacting to the verdicts, representatives of a Non Governmental Organizations, BraveHeart Initiative for Youth and Women expressed excitement.
The NGO workers provided comprehensive support to the survivors in both cases and applauded the judgement.