An Awka Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Court in Anambra has convicted a 34-year-old man, Onyedika Okafor, for rape and unlawful abduction.
Delivering judgment, Justice Peace Otti sentenced the convict to 14 years imprisonment for rape and two years for unlawful imprisonment.
The prosecution told the court that the offence was committed on Oct. 8, 2022, when the defendant, armed with a gun, went to the residence of the victim at Ezinifite village, Awka, and demanded that she come out.
It said that although neighbours attempted to intervene, the defendant threatened them with the weapon and forcefully took the victim to an uncompleted building where he raped her.
According to the prosecution, the defendant later released the victim, after which the matter was reported to the police, leading to his arrest.
At the police station, the defendant denied the allegation, claiming that the victim was his girlfriend.
During trial, the prosecution, led by Chikodili Enemuo, Assistant Chief State Counsel, called four witnesses, including the victim, her aunt, the Investigating Police Officer and a medical doctor, who testified to injuries sustained by the victim.
The defendant, who testified in his defence, also called a witness, whose testimony was discredited under cross-examination.
In her judgment, Otti held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and consequently found the defendant guilty on both counts.
The court also ordered that the convict be registered as a sexual offender in the state.
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