A Delta State High Court on Monday sentenced a 55-year-old man, Collins Ika, to 60 years in prison for raping an 11-year-old girl entrusted to his care in Ugolo community, Okpe Local Government Area.
The offences occurred between 2021 and 2022.
Justice Joe Egwu, who delivered the judgment, also ordered Ika to pay ₦50 million in compensation to the victim. Additionally, the court ordered the forfeiture of ₦111,000 that the defendant allegedly brought in an attempt to settle the matter out of court without the knowledge of the victim, the police, or a human rights activist. The money was forfeited to the Delta State Government.
The prosecution, led by Phoebian Onomakpome, an assistant director in the Delta State Ministry of Justice, told the court that the victim testified the defendant repeatedly sexually abused her and threatened to kill her if she disclosed the attacks.
The girl’s mother said she had entrusted her children to the defendant, a neighbor, during her absence. The victim later revealed the abuse after complaining of persistent waist pain.
After the case was reported to the police, Ika fled the community but was later apprehended in a sting operation facilitated by a human rights activist. The court heard that he was lured under the pretext of discussing an out-of-court settlement and arrested when he arrived with ₦111,000, allegedly intended to hush up the case.
During the trial, Ika denied the allegations and called only his wife as a witness.
Justice Egwu ruled that the prosecution proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt and said the sentence should serve as a deterrent to others.
