From Jefferson Ibiwale, Benin

An Egor Magistrate Court in Benin on Friday  sentenced a 62-year old pastor, Alfred Idonogie, to two years imprisonment for defiling a 10-year old girl.

Chief Magistrate Taye Omoruyi found Idonogie guilty of the offence after the prosecutor presented five witnesses who testified in proof of the charge.

The prosecution witnesses included the victim’s grandmother, the girl, the investigating police officer and a medical doctor, who established that the accused had intercourse with the little girl.

The court said that he committed the offence on June 25, 2013 at Onaghino Street, medical stores road, Benin City.

The judge said the convict would spend six months in jail if he agreed to pay a fine of N200,000

The coordinator, Edo State Child Protection Network, Jennifer Ero, who took up the matter, said the judgment was a victory for the child.

She urged the public to be committed in the fight against child abuse.

Meanwhile, counsel to the accused, U. Osa-Uwagie, indicated that he would contest the judgment.