An Awka Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Court in Anambra has sentenced 34-year-old Onyedika Okafor to 16 years in prison. The conviction follows his trial for the abduction and defilement of a 15-year-old girl.

Delivering judgment, Justice Peace Otti, held that the prosecution had proven its case beyond the reasonable doubt and consequently found Okafor guilty on both counts.

Justice Otti also ordered that the convict should be registered as a sexual offender in the state

The Prosecution Counsel, Ms. Chikodili Enemuo, who is the Assistant Chief State Counsel, told the court that the offence was committed on Oct. 8, 2022.

The prosecution said that the defendant and other armed men stormed the residence of the minor at Ezinifite village, Awka, and demanded that she goes with him.

She said that although neighbours attempted to intervene, the defendant threatened them with the weapon and forcefully took the victim to an uncompleted building where he raped her.

According to the prosecution, Okafor later released the victim and she reported the matter to the police, leading to his arrest.

At the police station, the prosecution said that Okafor claimed that the victim was his girlfriend.

During trial, the prosecution called four witnesses, including the victim, her aunt, the Investigating Police Officer and a medical doctor, who testified to injuries sustained by the victim.

Okafor, who testified in his defence, also called one witness, whose testimony was discredited under cross-examination. (NAN)