A 55 years old man, Collins Ika, has been sentenced to 60 years in prison by a Delta State High Court sitting in Orerokpe for child sexual abuse involving an 11-year-old girl under his care in Ugolo community.
The court also ordered him to pay ₦50 million in compensation to the victim and forfeit ₦111,000, which he had brought in an attempt to settle the matter out of court. The money will be handed over to the Delta State Government.
During the trial, the prosecution showed that the defendant abused his position of trust. The victim’s mother testified that she had entrusted her children to him while she was away.
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The defendant fled after the allegations were reported but was later arrested during a sting operation facilitated by a human rights activist.
He denied the allegations in court and called only his wife as a witness.
In delivering judgment, Justice Joe Egwu said the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and emphasized that the sentence should serve as a deterrent to others.
This case follows similar convictions in Nigeria, including a sentence in Ado-Ekiti, where a man was sentenced to life imprisonment for offenses against a child, highlighting the country’s commitment to protecting minors.
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