The Awka Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Court in Anambra on Monday sentenced a 34-year-old man, Onyedika Okafor, to 16 years’ imprisonment for abducting and raping a woman.

Delivering judgment, Justice Peace Otti held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt and consequently found Mr Okafor guilty on both counts.

Ms Otti also ordered that the convict  should be registered as a sexual offender in the state.

The prosecution counsel, Chikodili Enemuo, assistant chief state counsel, told the court that the offence was committed on October 8, 2022.

The prosecution said that the defendant and other armed men stormed the victim’s residence in Ezinifite village, Awka, and demanded that she go with them.

She said that although neighbours attempted to intervene, the defendant threatened them with the weapon and forcibly took the victim to an uncompleted building where he raped her.

According to the prosecution, Mr Okafor later released the victim, and she reported the matter to the police, leading to his arrest.

At the police station, the prosecution said that Mr Okafor claimed that the victim was his girlfriend.

During the trial, the prosecution called four witnesses, including the victim, her aunt, the investigating police officer and a medical doctor, who testified to injuries sustained by the victim.

Mr Okafor, who testified in his defence, also called one witness, whose testimony was discredited under cross-examination. 

(NAN)