The Wuse Zone 6 Chief Magistrates’ Court in Abuja on Monday sentenced  Nnamdi Francis, a businessman, to one year imprisonment for attempting to rape a 10-year-old girl.

Chief Magistrate Omolola Akindele,  however, gave the convict an option to pay a fine of N10,000, the News Agency of Nigeria reported.

The police charged Mr. Francis with two counts of  felony to rape and procurement of a minor.

The convict admitted committing the offence and begged the court for leniency. It was not immediately clear whether the magistrate imposed the N10,000 ($25) to demonstrate his leniency towards Mr. Francis, but the decision could spark outrage amongst gender rights advocates who have long suggested that the courts are not doing enough to deter violence against women.

Prosecutor Peter Ejike told the court that the complainant,  Lattus Stephen of Dakwa, Abuja, reported the matter through a written petition to the office of the AIG Zone 7, Abuja, on August 21.

Mr. Ejike also said it was on that day the convict intentionally lured the girl to his bedroom and attempted to defile her.

The offence contravened the sections 95 and 275 of the Penal Code.

(NAN)