Two young men in their early 30’s have been convicted and sentenced to life
imprisonment for gang raping a 17 year old girl after robbing the girls parents
of valuables.
A Delta High Court sitting at Ughelli today sentenced the two notorious rapists
having found them guilty of the offence of conspiracy, rape and attempted armed
robbery.
The Court while delivering the verdict that lasted for over 2 hours condemned
the barbaric action of the two criminals for their shameful acts and advised
young people never yo resort to crime no matter the condition they found
themselves. The court declined the plea for mercy by defense counsel, M.I
Oshemele on the ground of law and proceeded to hand down the mandatory
punishment for the offence they committed as prescribed by law.
Having cited several authorities to deliver a sound judgement the trial judge
Justice O. Tobi averred that the confessional statements of the accused which
was admitted in evidence during trial passed the veracity test and was not in
doubt saying that Prosecution led by P.T. Daubry had proved the essential
ingredients of the three count information charge.
Ernest Steve, aged 30 and Jerry Godwin 29 reportedly broke into the 17 year old
girl (name withheld) parents’ apartment located at Young Africa Close, Ovwian
within Otor-Udu judicial division under the cover of darkness on the 5th of
November, 2007 while armed with a gun and knife. After allegedly robbing
parents of the young girl of some valuables whose father is said to be a
Pastor, the armed gang had carnal knowledge of her in turns causing her severe
bodily injuries and psychological trauma.
However, there was a mild drama in court moment after the judgement was
delivered as mother of one of the convicted rapists went berseck as she went
almost naked within the court premises saying that the life imprisonment for
her only son was too much for a pain for her to bear.
Meanwhile, another High Court sitting at Ughelli discharged and acquitted one
Michael Sunday who was on criminal trial on a one count charge of armed
robbery. Jubilant Sunday who walked home free was in detention for 5 years
awaiting trial. His Lawyer, Eloho Irogbo commended the trial judge for the
erutide and sound judgement saying that the Court remains the final hope of the
common man
