Justice Philip Imoedemhe of the High Court sitting in Auchi Edo State, Friday, sentenced Sufiyan Ahmed, 20, to 21 years imprisonment for sexual assault and murder of a four-year-old girl identified as Umuaiman Suleman.
The offence was committed in Egbetua Quarters in Ososo, Akoko-Edo local government area on April 21, 2019.Correctional Centre
The convict was charged on a two-count- charge of defilement and murder.
The Prosecutor, Lauretta Asaka, told the court that the offence is punishable Under Section 401 of the Administration of Criminal Justice, Laws of Edo State 2016..
Justice Philip Imoedemhe, delivering his judgement said that all the evidences tendered convinced the court beyond all reasonable doubts that the convict was guilty of the offence.
“The evidence before me shows the defendant is guilty as charged and convicted to 21-years-oldrison,” He ruled.
He ordered that the convict be taken to the Auchi Correctional Center to serve his jail term.
Reacting to the judgment, an uncle to the victim, Yakubu Tijani, said he was grateful on the success of the case which ended with justice on their side.
The Executive Director, BraveHeart Initiative, Ms. Priscilla Usiobaifo, appreciated the judgment stating that, “the conviction brings to rest a three-year struggle for justice for Umuaiman Suleman – a girl that was gruesomely assaulted and murdered.”
“BraveHeart Initiative’s efforts in strengthening the Criminal Justice System in Edo State have so far led to the successful conviction of 23 sex offenders.
“As of April 2022, the organisation has completed 25 sexual and gender based violence cases in court and 22 victories have been recorded and three cases lost.”
