An Egor Magistrates’ Court sitting in Benin City, Edo State on Thursday sentenced a 25-year old man, Ekene Nwane, to 14 years imprisonment for abducting an eight-year girl, Success Imasuen, for money ritual.

 The prosecutors said the convict dressed in a red gown, grabbed and hypnotized the victim while she was playing with her sister near their mother’s shop.

The mother, Everlyn Imasuen, after making fruitless attempt to rescue her daughter from Nwane alerted passers-by who helped to arrest the convict.

The prosecuting police officer, Osayomwanbor Omoruyi, who tendered a confessional statement and the red gown as exhibits, told the court the offence was committed at No. 62 Siluko Road, Benin City on September 19.

He said the offence contravened Section 371 of the Criminal Code Cap 48 Vol. II Laws of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria 1976 as applicable in Edo State and punishable under same.

The convict pleaded guilty to the one count charge of kidnapping and begged for leniency.

He vowed not to engage in such a crime anymore.

“Please forgive me, I will not do it again,” he pleaded.

Chief Magistrate Igho Braimoh sentenced the convict to 14 years imprisonment without an option of fine.

THE NATION