A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has convicted Tombari Taol for the murder of a minor, Eedeebari Gonis.
The incident occurred in November 2018 at Bori, the headquarters of Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The trial judge, Justice Margaret Opara, found Taol guilty on a three-count charge of sexual abuse, unlawful sexual intercourse, and murder.
The Truth reports that while the convict could face life imprisonment, Justice Opara deferred sentencing to February 4, 2025.
Justice Opara explained that the death penalty could not be imposed since Taol was a minor at the time the offense was committed.
The judge further directed the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre to conduct a medical examination on Taol to ascertain his mental state, which will guide the court in determining whether he will serve a life sentence or be sent to a rehabilitation center.
Speaking outside the courtroom on Tuesday after the conviction, the prosecuting lawyer, Aya Adaye-Orugbani, expressed satisfaction with the judgment while speaking to journalists outside the courtroom.
On their part, the Chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, Emi George, and former FIDA Chairperson, Antonia Osademe, also commended the judgment, highlighting its significance in ensuring justice for victims of such crimes.
George said, “Today the court has found him convicted of the crime, but in line with our aims and objectives of protecting children, as at when he committed the offense, he was also a child.
“The court looked at it and asked the lawyers to come and address the court on the next day on how best to rehabilitate.
“He would still face a sentence, but in a facility where he can be rehabilitated.”
Osademe added, “I’m happy that in the end, justice was done for Eedeebari.”
