The accused, a trader in Akpanadem Market, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, was arraigned in Uyo High Court 4 on Wednesday by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and other related Matters for having illicit sex with Sunday.
Bassey had argued that the act was carried out with the girl’s consent.
Testifying in court before Justice Andrew Okon, Bassey said Sunday had visited him in his house, adding that on many occasions, he had bought clothes for her.
He said, “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.”
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.
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