An Upper Area Court No.1, sitting in Ganye Local Government Area, Adamawa State, on Monday remanded a man, Jediel Sylvester, in correctional custody for allegedly impregnating his own daughter, whose name has been withheld.
Court Proceedings and Charges
The court, presided over by Hon. Kabiru Musa, ordered the remand of the defendant after he pleaded guilty to the charges brought against him. Sylvester was arraigned following a direct criminal complaint filed by his daughter and her uncle through their counsel, Abdulrahman Njidda Esq., under section 111 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Adamawa State 2018.
The case, registered as No. UACG/NO1/CR/FI/113/26, was brought before Hon. Kabiru Musa by the victim's uncle, Mohammed Audi, and the victim herself.
Details of the Abuse
Mohammed Audi informed the court that the defendant is married to his sister, who gave birth to the victim. He stated that the defendant took his daughter to a medical professional after she complained that her menstrual period had stopped. The medical examination revealed that the girl was three months pregnant. When the father asked her to name the person responsible, the girl stated that no one had ever had sexual intercourse with her.
It was gathered that the defendant suggested aborting the pregnancy, but was advised that it was too dangerous at three months. The victim, as the second complainant, told the court that her father used to beat, force, and intimidate her before having sex with her.
Legal Offenses and Guilty Plea
The complainants stated that the defendant's actions constitute incest, criminal intimidation, and assault, contrary to sections 367, 382, and 242 of the Penal Code Law of Adamawa State. When the charges were read and interpreted to the defendant, he pleaded guilty, attributing his actions to lust.
The court has adjourned the case for sentencing and remanded Sylvester in correctional custody pending further proceedings.
