Court jails student 12 years for rape

A Makurdi High Court on Friday sentenced a 22-year-old student, Iorver Terver, to 12 years’ imprisonment for rape.

Terver, who stood trial on a three -count charge of armed robbery, conspiracy and rape, was said to have conspired with two others to commit the crime in 2009.

The two others are Tavershima Weve and one Kelvin, whose surname was unknown.

Weve, who was, however, charged with conspiracy to commit armed robbery, was discharged on both counts at the close of prosecution’s case.

Delivering judgment, Justice Elizabeth Kpojime, held that the charge of rape had been proven beyond reasonable doubt against the accused, pointing out that his confession was positive and direct and the evidence of the victim was unshaken.

Kpojime ordered that the accused be discharged and acquitted on the allegations of criminal conspiracy and armed robbery but found him guilty of the offence of rape which she said was punishable under Section 283 of the Penal Code.

She said the sentence should take effect from the date of his detention in prison.

She also ordered him to pay a fine of N10,000

The prosecutor, Mr E.T.C. Akula, called four witnesses and tendered a total of nine exhibits in evidence.

The victim, in her oral testimony before the court, explained that she went to her uncle’s house at High Level area of Makurdi on Jan. 4, 2009 and collected N5,000 to go to school the following day.

She said on her way back, however, the commercial motorcyclist she engaged refused to take her to her house because it was late.

So he dropped her on Bank Road.

She said that after she got off the motorcycle, the accused person, who lived in the same area with her at Logo 1 and one Kelvin, attacked her, collected her cellphone and money.

She said Kelvin was pointing a gun at her and also holding a bottle which he said contained acid and threatened to pour it on her if she did not cooperate with them.

She disclosed that they dragged her to the bush where the two of them tore her clothes and took turns to rape her till 2 a.m. when they released her.

She informed her uncle, Mr Solomon Ugese, who took her to the police where she lodged a complaint.

The accused person testified for himself and called two witnesses, his mother and brother respectively. (NAN)

Source:vanguard