Man jailed 14 years for defiling minor in IDP camp

An Internally Displaced Person (IDP) Isaroma Hassan, in his late 20s, has been sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment for defiling a minor in an IDP camp in Monguno.

Isaroma, who was until his conviction an IDP at Government Girls Secondary School Monguno IDP camp, on March 23, 2018 went into his neighbour’s tent and forcefully had canal knowledge of a 9-year-old girl, a Borno State High Court was told.

The father of the victim was said to have met his daughter crying and bleeding when he got back. He took her to the police station in the camp but was directed to the hospital. She was examined at Monguno General Hospital and the level of penetration was confirmed, the court learnt.

Isaroma was subsequently arraigned before the court on a three-count charge bordering on rape, criminal intimidation and unlawful abduction.

In his judgment, yesterday, Justice A.M. Ali said the testimony of the prosecution witnesses were consistent and corroborative, adding that the testimonies were at no time refuted by the defence.

“The prosecution has proved beyond reasonable doubt, the accused who is a father himself of preying on innocent children in his neighbourhood. I hereby sentence him to 14 years in prison without option of fine commencing from today (Tuesday),” Justice Ali held.