The Delta State High Court sitting in Asaba has sentenced Abubakar Mohammed to life imprisonment for defiling a nine-year-old girl in Asaba, Oshimili South Local Government Area of the state.
Justice Onome Marshal-Umukoro delivered the judgment in Charge No. DTHC/ASB/CR/26/2025, involving the State against Mohammed.
The convict was prosecuted by the Delta State Ministry of Justice under Sections 3(1)(a) and 4(1) of the Delta State Violence Against Persons Law, 2020.
The prosecution was handled by Victoria Ibegbulem, a Principal State Counsel with the Ministry’s Sexual Offences Unit.
In delivering judgment, Justice Marshal-Umukoro held that the prosecution had established the elements of the offence beyond reasonable doubt.
The court relied largely on the direct testimony of the child, which was supported by medical evidence presented during the trial.
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In considering the sentence, the judge took into account the age and vulnerability of the victim, the alleged abuse of trust and the circumstances surrounding the offence.
The court also considered evidence indicating that the child had allegedly been subjected to an earlier incident of abuse accompanied by threats to her life.
Justice Marshal-Umukoro held that the circumstances of the case justified a punishment above the statutory minimum and subsequently sentenced Mohammed to life imprisonment without the option of a fine.
In addition to the prison sentence, the court ordered that Mohammed’s name, photograph and other relevant details be entered into the Register of Convicted Sex Offenders maintained by the Office of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Delta State.
The court further directed that the register be made accessible to members of the public.
The judgment underscores the state’s continued use of legal sanctions against sexual offences involving children and other vulnerable persons.
