A Rivers State Family Court sitting in Port Harcourt has sentenced a 75-year-old man, Promise Chukwumatti, to 10 years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine for defiling an 11-year-old girl. The trial judge, Justice Rita Oguguo, held that the prosecution proved the charge beyond reasonable doubt through oral testimony, the convict’s confessional statement and other evidence presented before the court. The court heard that Chukwumatti repeatedly had unlawful sexual intercourse with the minor after luring her to his apartment with money while she was on her way to school. Although Justice Oguguo noted that the offence ordinarily attracts life imprisonment under the law, she said the court considered...

The Senate has again declined a motion seeking an investigation into the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), citing ongoing judicial and anti-corruption investigations into the matter. The motion, sponsored by Senator Kawu Sumaila, was rejected during plenary after Senate President Godswill Akpabio ruled that the National Assembly should not interfere in issues already before the courts and under investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). Sumaila had argued that a legislative probe was necessary to protect the integrity of the Senate and the federal budget process following allegations surrounding the PFIPC, which the Presidency has described as a non-existent agency. Meanwhile, African...

A Rivers State Family Court sitting in Port Harcourt has sentenced a 75-year-old man, Promise Chukwumatti, to 10 years’ imprisonment without the option of...

The Senate has again declined a motion seeking an investigation into the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), citing ongoing judicial and anti-corruption...