An Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Ikot Ekpene has sentenced a 32-year-old barber, Ofonime Augustine Etim, to 14 years’ imprisonment without an option of fine for defiling a 12-year-old girl.
The convict who hails from Abama village in Obot Akara Local Government Area was said to have defiled the 12-year-old girl in Ikot Obong Otoro, Abak Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State on May 10, 2023.
During the trial, prosecution from the State Ministry of Justice called three witnesses including the Investigating Police Officer and a medical doctor and tendered documentary evidence.
The key evidence was the testimony of a consultant gynecologist, who confirmed a 2cm deep vaginal wall laceration and multiple bruises on the victim, validating the forceful penetration of the minor.
The investigating police officer who was the PW1 also testified that the victim was abducted and taken to a residence where the convict committed the act.
The elder sister of the victim also testified that the girl had gone missing for days before she was later found and taken to the hospital for treatment.
In his judgement, the presiding judge, Justice Augustine D. Odokwo, found Ofonime Etim guilty of a one-count charge of defilement, holding that the prosecution proved his case beyond reasonable doubt.
The court relied on medical findings presented by the consultant gynaecologist, who examined the victim and confirmed injuries consistent with sexual assault.
The court dismissed the claims of the convict who testified on his own, noting that the defence was unsubstantiated.
Justice Odokwo held that the evidence before the court, particularly the medical report and testimonies of witnesses, established all the essential elements of the offence, including the age of the victim, proof of penetration and the identity of the offender.
The judge described the offence as grave, stressing the need to protect children and deter similar crimes.
“The law is designed not only to punish but to deter others from such acts. Children must be protected,” he said.
The court sentenced Ofonime Etim to 14 years’ imprisonment without an option of fine and ordered that the period he already spent in custody since May 13, 2023, be deducted from the sentence.
The court also ordered that the convict’s name be entered into the State Sex Offenders Register while the exhibits tendered during the trial were to remain in court custody pending any appeal.