By Jefferson Ibiwale, Benin City

An Egor Magistrate Court sitting in Benin City, Edo State Monday sentenced one Lucky Esonahae, to five years imprison for setting his pregnant lover, Stella Isaac, ablaze.

Esonahae was said to have accused his pregnant wife of infidelity for allegedly returning home at about 6 pm from the hospital where she attended antenatal clinic, threatened to kill her, before she ran to her sister’s residence.

He was arraigned one a one-count charge bothering on causing bodily harm.

According to the Prosecuting Officer, Ganiyu Yahya, a sergeant, the incident occurred on 6 July, 2015, at Uwelu Quarters in Benin City, and was reported by the victim on the same day.

Yahya said that ‎Esonahae had locked his wife in a room, poured kerosene on the head of the woman, who was said to be carrying a seven-month pregnancy for him, lit a match and set her on fire.

‎The victim was however rescued by one of her sons and one of her neighbours, after forcing the door tp her room open. She sustained burns on her hands and forehead, and was later rushed to the Central Hospital, where she received treatment.

The accused who pleaded guilty to the offense begged the court for leniency.

Delivering his judgment, the Presiding Magistrate, Igho Braimoh, ‎said the court would not be lenient on the convict and therefore sentenced Lucky Esonahae to five years in prison without an option of fine