A Bayelsa State High Court, sitting in Yenagoa has sentenced a 41-year-old father, Baridapsi Needam, to 14 years imprisonment for raping and impregnating his daughter.The accused, Needam, in the suit numbered YHC/14C/2022 was charged with the offence of rape contrary to Section 1 of the Violence Against Persons Law of Bayelsa State, 2021.
The Presiding Judge, Justice D.E Adokeme, while delivering the judgment stated that the prosecution led credible evidence and made reference to the DNA result which revealed a 99.99 per cent positive report that the convict is the father of the child. Speaking after the judgment, the lead prosecuting counsel, Pere Amanda Egbuson, noted that the judgment will serve as a deterrent to others who engage in unimaginable acts, noting that a strong message has been sent that the court will not tolerate such heinous acts.
Also commenting on the development, an advocate against violence against women and founder of Do Foundation, Dr Dise Ogbise Goddy Harry, said the CSOs in the state are excited with the court’s judgment.