Delta Man Sentenced to 60 Years for Raping Minor

Collin Ika, a 55-year-old man, was sentenced to 60 years imprisonment by the Delta State High Court for the rape of an 11-year-old girl in Ugolo Community, Okpe Local Government Area. The offenses occurred between 2021 and 2022.

Justice Joe Egwu delivered the judgment on Monday, ordering Ika to pay 50 million naira as compensation to the victim and forfeiting 111,000 naira that he allegedly intended to use to settle the matter outside of court. The prosecution, led by Miss Phoebian Onomakpom, an Assistant Director at the Delta State Ministry of Justice, presented evidence including the victim's testimony, which detailed repeated sexual abuse and threats to kill her if she disclosed the abuse.

The victim's mother testified that she had entrusted her daughter to Ika, who was a neighbor. Following the victim's report of persistent waist pain, Ika fled but was later arrested during a sting operation.

The judgment serves as a deterrent to similar offenses.