Saturday Udoh to five years imprisonment with an option of N80, 000
fine for defiling a five-year-old girl.
Chief Magistrate Mike Osayi, while delivering his judgement held that
the prosecution, led by Sergeant Shaibu Mohammed, proved its case of
defilement against the convict beyond reasonable doubt.
The prosecution had told the court that Udoh committed the offence on
May 31, at Falodun Country Home Motel, Benin, and that the one-count
charge contravened Section 218 of the criminal code.The court held
that the convict's alibi didn't check out.
The court also faulted the witnesses called by the convict, noting
that their testimonies were conflicting. The court further held that
the proximity between the convict's residence and his office could not
rule out the possibility of the convict dashing home to commit the
offence and returning to work.
The court also held that there was identification parade conducted in
the house and the little girl could not have been mistaken when she
pointed at the convict as being responsible for her defilement.
Osayi described the victim as intelligent due to her evidence in court
as well as the manner she responded to questions put to her by the
court during cross examination.
The court found Udoh guilty as charged, and he was sentenced accordingly.