2 to get life imprisonment for raping Pastor’s daughter

ASABA — A high Court sit-ting in Ughelli, Delta State has sentenced two persons, described as “notorious rapists,” Ernest Steve, 30 and Jerry Godwin, 29, to life imprisonment for raping a 17-year-old daughter of a Pastor.

The incident took place on November 5, 2007 when the duo broke into the residence of the parents of the girl at Young Africa Close, Ovwian, armed with a gun and knife.

Prosecution told the court that after robbing parents of the young girl of valuables, they went ahead and had carnal knowledge of the girl (names withheld) serially, causing her severe injuries and psychological trauma.

Delivering judgment, the trial judge, Justice O. Tobi said the confessional statements of the accused admitted in evidence during trial passed the veracity test and was not in doubt, saying the prosecution led by P. T. Daubry had proved the essential ingredients of the three-count charge preferred against the accused persons.

The court declined the plea for mercy by the defence counsel,  Mr. M. Oshemele, on the ground of law and proceeded to hand down the mandatory punishment for the offence they committed as prescribed by law.