Lucky Esonahae, a 37-year-old bar operator has been handed a five-year jail term for setting his pregnant lover ablaze.
The man, who was arraigned on a one-count charge bordering on causing bodily harm, was handed the sentence by an Egor Magistrates’ Court in Benin, Edo state on Monday.
“That you, Lucky Esonahae, on July 6, 2015, at Uwelu Quartres, Benin, in the Egor Magisterial District, did cause grievous harm to one Stella Isaac, by setting her on fire with kerosene, which cause her bodily harm and, thereby, committed an offence punishable under Section 355(B) of the Criminal Code Cap 48, Vol. II, Law of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria, 1976, as applicable to Edo State,” the charge read.
Sergeant Ganiyu Yahya, who brought the accused to court, explained that the incident occurred at Uwelu Quarters in Benin, and was reported by the victim, Stella Isaac, on 6 July, same day it occurred.
Punch reports that Yahya claimed Esonahae had poured kerosene on the head of the woman, who was said to be seven months pregnant, lit a match and set her on fire, adding that the victim was later rescued by one of her sons and her neighbours, who forced the door of her room open, as she had been locked in.
The prosecutor also noted that the victim, who was later rushed to the Central Hospital where she received treatment, sustained burns on her hands and forehead.
Esonahae, who had reportedly accused the pregnant woman of infidelity for allegedly returning at about 6pm from her ante-natal care and had threatened to kill her, before she ran to her sister’s residence, pleaded guilty to the offence and begged for leniency.
The presiding magistrate, Igho Braimoh, however, did not entertain any plea noting that the court would not be lenient.
She said: “for a 37-year-old man to set a lover on fire leaves much to be desired”before sentencing him to five years in prison with hard labour.
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