The Upper Area Court I, sitting in Ganye, Adamawa State, has convicted and sentenced a man, Jediel Sylvester, to 30 years’ imprisonment for having sexual relations with his daughter and getting her pregnant.
The court, presided over by Hon. Kabiru Musa, sentenced the defendant to 15 years’ imprisonment with an option of a N500,000 fine for the offence of incest.
For the offence of criminal intimidation, the court sentenced Sylvester to 10 years’ imprisonment with an option of a N250,000 fine, whilst for the offence of assault, the court sentenced the defendant to five years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine.
The court, explaining that the sentences shall run consecutively, further pronounced that the defendant has the constitutional right of appeal against the judgment to the High Court of Adamawa State within the next 30 days.
The judge said the most disturbing part of the case was the testimony of the victim that the defendant habitually intimidated and forced her into sexual intercourse whenever he desired.
“Having carefully considered the statement of complaint, the unequivocal plea of guilty entered by the defendant, the oral testimony of the victim in corroboration thereof, and the entire record before the court, I am satisfied that the prosecution has proved the offences charged beyond reasonable doubt as required by law,” the judge said.
“A plea of guilty, once voluntarily made and corroborated where necessary, constitutes the strongest evidence against an accused person. In the instant case, there exists not only the defendant’s confession
