A college teacher in Edo state who has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a 13-year old girl was given a fine option of N200,000...
A college teacher in Edo state who has
been found guilty of sexually assaulting a 13-year old girl was given a fine
option of N200,000 raising concerns among stakeholders who see the monetary punishment as being too lenient considering the
crime.
The 47-year old teacher, Rotimi
Olayemi, was arraigned at the magistrates’ court, Benin on a four count charge
bordering on sexual assault of a minor. He was alleged to have committed the
crime on May 26, 2014, when he invited the female student to his office where
he
hugged, kissed and fondled her.
The offence is a violation of Section
360 of the Criminal Code, Cap 48, Vol. II, Law of the defunct Bendel state of
Nigeria, 1976 as applicable in Edo State.
The defendant pleaded not guilty
to the charges but he was found guilty by the presiding magistrate and
sentenced accordingly to one year in prison for each count; making a total of
four years.
What actually raised controversy is the option of a N50,000 fine for
each fine (making N200,000 in total) offered to the defendant in place of the
prison sentence by the Judge.
What do you think? Was the Judge right to have given the man a N200,000 fine option to escape serving his four years jail term?
