A Rivers State High Court has sentenced Jerry Njoku to seven years imprisonment with hard labour and ordered him to pay N5 million to the family of a 10-year-old girl he was convicted of defiling

A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt on Tuesday convicted and sentenced 25-year-old Jerry Njoku to seven years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling a 10-year-old girl.

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Delivering judgment, Justice Rita Oguguo held that the prosecution successfully proved the case of defilement against Njoku. The judge also ordered the convict to pay N5 million to the victim’s family for the girl’s upkeep.

The sentences are to run concurrently. While defence counsel declined to comment on the ruling, prosecution counsel Precious Ordu, a chief state counsel from the Rivers State Ministry of Justice, welcomed the outcome.

Ordu described the judgment as justice for the state, the victim and even the convict, saying it would serve as a strong deterrent to others. “It is a welcome development that, at least, those who have the intention of defiling minors will also sit up and control their urge,” he stated.

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The case highlights ongoing efforts by the Rivers State Government through the Ministry of Justice to ensure accountability for sexual offences against minors and protect vulnerable children in the state.