by Rachel Ogbu

A 62-year-old man has been sentenced to seven years in jail for raping a 13- year-old girl.

Godwin Bassey who is a trader in Akpanadem Market, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State appeared before a court in Uyo High Court 4 on Wednesday. He was charged by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and other related Matters for having illicit sex with Mercy Sunday.

“I cannot lie that I have not slept with her, but I did it with her agreement. She visits me in the house and I have spent money buying clothes for her,” Bassey said testifying in court before Justice Andrew Okon, Bassey.

Defending himself, he said the victim had come voluntarily to his house and he had spoilt her with clothing gifts.

The Punch reports:

Also testifying in court, the girl’s father, Mr. Ubong Sunday, insisted that his daughter was defiled by Bassey. There was no hospital report to prove the claim of defilement and the HIV/AIDs test conducted on Mercy was negative.

In his judgment on Tuesday, Justice Okon, declared Bassey guilty of the offence and sentenced him to seven-year jail term.

However, Anthony Ebuk, lawyer for the accused, said he would appeal the judgment.