Justice Joe Egwu, who delivered the judgment on Monday, February 23, 2026, also ordered the convict to pay ₦50 million as compensation to the victim.
The court further ordered the forfeiture of ₦111,000 brought by the defendant in an attempt to settle the matter out of court without the knowledge of the complainant, the police, or a human rights activist. The money was ordered to be forfeited to the Delta State Government.
The prosecution, led by Miss Phoebian Onomakpome, an Assistant Director in the Delta State Ministry of Justice, told the court that the offence was committed in Ugolo community, Okpe Local Government Area, between 2021 and 2022.
According to the prosecution, the victim testified that Ika repeatedly had unlawful carnal knowledge of her and threatened to kill her if she reported the abuse. Her mother also testified that she had entrusted the child and her siblings to the defendant, their neighbour, during her absence. The girl later disclosed the abuse after complaining of persistent waist pains.
Following a report to the police, the defendant fled but was later arrested in a sting operation facilitated by a human rights activist. He was invited under the guise of a discussion and arrested when he arrived with ₦111,000 allegedly intended to hush the case.
The defendant, represented by Dr. Brown Umukoro, denied the allegations and called his wife as his only witness.
In his ruling, Justice Egwu held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and sentenced the defendant to 60 years’ imprisonment, stressing that the judgment should serve as a deterrent to others.