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An Anambra State High Court has sentenced a final-year Mass Communication student to 35 years in prison for sexually abusing and injuring a 10-year-old girl.
Justice Peace Otti of the Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Court in Awka found 27-year-old Wisdom Edem guilty on three counts of rape, sexual abuse and inflicting physical injury.
The court sentenced Edem to 25 years for rape, five years for sexual abuse, and five years for causing physical injury. He was also ordered to pay ₦200,000 in compensation to the victim.
According to court documents, the convict lured the child to his house under the pretext of featuring in a comedy skit.
The victim told the court that she had previously acted in skits with the defendant and trusted him.
She said he sent her younger sister away to get a change of clothes before taking her into his room, where he locked the door and assaulted her.
A medical doctor who examined the girl on the same day confirmed that she suffered bleeding and injuries consistent with sexual assault.
The prosecution, led by Principal State Counsel Chinelo Akorah, presented six witnesses and tendered evidence, including the defendant’s confessional statement and the medical report.
During the trial, Edem denied the allegations and claimed the child initiated the sexual act.
The court rejected the defence, ruling that a child cannot legally give consent and describing the crime as deliberate and carefully planned.
Justice Otti held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt through the victim’s testimony, medical evidence, witness accounts and the defendant’s own confession.
Although Edem had been granted bail during the trial, he failed to appear in court for the judgment.
The court proceeded with the ruling in his absence and issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
It also ordered that he be declared wanted, with his photographs circulated to the police and published online.
Justice Otti further directed that the convict’s university must not issue him a certificate until he completes his prison sentence.
The judge commended the prosecution and the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) for securing the conviction, describing the judgment as a strong message that Anambra State has zero tolerance for sexual and gender-based violence.
