Barber bags 14 years jail term for defiling minor in Akwa Ibom

Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting successful Ikot Ekpene, has convicted and sentenced 1 Ofonime Augustine Etim, a autochthonal of Abama colony Abak, to 14 years imprisonment for defiling a 12 year-old miss successful Ikot Obong Otoro, Abak Local Government Area of the State.

The complaint stemmed from an incidental that occurred connected Wednesday, 10th May, 2023, erstwhile the convict was accused of having unlawful carnal cognition of the minor.

The unfortunate was reported missing for respective days earlier being recovered with carnal injuries and blood-stained clothing.

During the trial, the prosecution from the State Ministry of Justice called 3 witnesses, including the Investigating Police Officer and a aesculapian doc and tendered documentary evidence.

Key grounds included grounds by a Consultant Gynecologist, who testified to uncovering a 2cm heavy vaginal partition laceration and aggregate bruises, confirming forceful penetration of the minor.

The Investigating Police Officer, PW1 besides testified that the unfortunate was abducted and taken to a residence wherever the convict committed the act.

The victim’s elder sister besides testified that the miss had gone missing for days earlier she was aboriginal recovered and taken to infirmary for treatment.

The presiding judge, Justice Augustine D. Odokwo successful his judgement, recovered Ofonime blameworthy of a one-count complaint of defilement, holding that the prosecution proved i...