Man sentenced to 14 years in prison for gang rape and assault on 22-year-old disabled woman in Edo
A Magistrate’s Court sitting in Igarra, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State has sentenced Dele Eric to 14 years imprisonment for his involvement in the gang rape and assault of a 22-year-old woman said to be a person with a disability. .
In a statement released on Monday, November 27, 2023, the BraveHeart Initiative (BHI), which supported the case, said Dele, 28, was convicted of four charges and sentenced without the option of a fine.
Chief Magistrate (Special Grade) Nosa Musoe delivered the verdict on Friday, November 24, 2023, in line with the provisions of the Edo State Penal Code Act.
Eric and others (now fugitives) who allegedly committed the crime in the town of Ikpeshi inflicted machete wounds on the victim’s body when she resisted them.
The convict was also accused of masturbating and ejaculating on the victim’s face and mouth.
He was charged in MIG/23/2020 and was prosecuted by Inspector Obaze Samuel of the Igarra Area Command of the Nigerian Police.
In the statement, Ms. Priscilla Usiobaifo, Executive Director of BraveHeart Initiative (BHI), said the foundation is pleased with the outcome of the case.
She assured that the foundation will continue to facilitate justice for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence in Nigeria.
“The BraveHeart Initiative (BHI) began intervention in the case on January 4, 2020, at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic; facilitated the transfer of cases to SCIID-Benin City on July 24, 2020, and also facilitated the prosecution of cases on August 12, 2020,” she said.
“A total of thirty (30) court sessions were held at the Magistrates Court, lgarra – four sessions (4) in 2020; fourteen (14) in 2021; eight (8) in 2022; and four (4) in 2023. OO prosecution timeline has been significantly lengthened as a result of the COVID crisis.
“Despite the slow pace, our team remained strongly encouraged, resilient and hopeful in the judicial process to bring justice.
“We are grateful to the BraveHeart Initiative SGBV caseworkers for their determination for justice and survivor support in accessing essential services in the face of the various limitations of the strict COVID-19 protocols in Edo State.”
Source: www.lindaikejisblog.com