Anambra Court Sentences Man To 10 Years For Assaulting Nine-Year Old Girl

Kenneth Nwangu, a middle-aged man, has been handed a 10-year prison sentence by the Children, Sexual and Gender-based Violence Court in the High Court of Awka, Anambra State. This ruling comes after Nwangu was found guilty of defiling his nine-year-old daughter, his only child.

The court delivered its judgment based on a three-count charge brought against Nwangu by the state government, supported by compelling evidence of his wrongdoing. For the first count of engaging in sexual intercourse with a minor, an offense outlined in Section 34 of the Child Rights Law of Anambra State, Nwangu received a seven-year imprisonment term.

Additionally, he was sentenced to two years for inflicting physical harm on his daughter and one year for causing emotional and psychological distress to her, as per the charges outlined by Sections 4 and 16 of the Violence Against Persons, Prohibition and Protection Laws of Anambra State.

The court’s decision was influenced by the testimony of prosecution witnesses, including the victim herself, and considered factors such as Nwangu’s role as caretaker following his wife’s departure.

During the proceedings, Nwangu initially denied the accusations, shifting blame onto a woman he claimed to have entrusted with his daughter’s care. However, he eventually confessed to the crimes, appealing for leniency. His defense counsel echoed this plea, emphasizing Nwangu’s lack of prior offenses and his paternal relationship with the victim.

The court ordered that Nwangu serve the concurrent sentences and mandated that the victim remain under the care of the Anambra State Government.

In response to the verdict, Anambra State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Sylvia Ifemeje, hailed the judgment as a significant