ABRAKA: A Delta State High Court sitting in Abraka, Ethiope-East Local Government Area, has sentenced Ernest Okporu to 12 years’ imprisonment for sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl in Osubi community, Okpe Local Government Area.
The trial judge, Justice S.I. Okeleke, delivered the judgement on Thursday after finding the defendant guilty of the offence committed in 2024.
Reacting to the verdict, the Delta State Governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Human Rights, Kelvin Ejumudo, praised the ruling, describing it as a victory for justice and a demonstration of the judiciary’s commitment to upholding the rule of law.
Ejumudo, who also serves as National Secretary of the Human Rights Protection Congress (HRPC), commended the Permanent Secretary of the Delta State Ministry of Justice, Omamuzo Erebe (SAN), for what he described as strong legal representation during the prosecution.
According to him, the survivor continues to experience emotional trauma stemming from the incident, highlighting the lasting impact such crimes have on victims.
He added that the offender was convicted under the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law of Delta State, noting that authorities plan to include his details on the state’s sex offenders register as a deterrent to others.
Ejumudo further acknowledged the Delta State Government’s stance against sexual violence, citing its declared zero tolerance for rape, defilement, and related offences.
