Anthony Iwuoma
A court in Ekiti State has slammed a 10-year jail term on a 45-year-old woman for assaulting her pregnant neighbour, resulting in forced delivery through a Caesarean section.
The convict, Yemisi Najimu, was tried on three-charge, bordering on an attempt to murder, acts intended to cause grievous harm, and occasioning harm before Justice Lekan Ogunmoye of Ekiti State High Court, sitting in Ado Ekiti.
The charge read, “The defendant on 26th August, 2019 at No. 20, Afro Akinyede Estate, Odo Ado, Ado Ekiti, did attempt to murder, cause grievous harm, and assault one Bosede Ojo, contrary to Sections 320(1), 322, and 355 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap C16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.”
READ ALSO: 11-year-old boy in court for stealing yam
The victim in her statement explained that she was eight months old pregnant at the time of the assault.
According to her, the convict and her son were beating her child. However, when she tried to stop the fight the woman turned on her with her son and pushed her down despite her heavy pregnancy, resulting in abrupt delivery in the hospital, through surgery.
The prosecutor, Dolapo Oyewole, called five witnesses tendered statements of the victim and the Defendant, as well as one cement block, and a medical report.
The convict also defended herself through her counsel, who called three witnesses.
Ruling on the matter, however, Justice Lekan Ogunmoye noted: ‘’What the convict did was reprehensible enough. Therefore, the punishment on her must be such that would serve as deterrence to her and others, who may wish to behave in a similar way in the future.
“She is sentenced to 10 years imprisonment with N70,000 as the option of fine.”
