On Monday, a 37-year-old bar operator who was identified as Lucky
Esonahae was arraigned on one count bordering on causing bodily harm by
setting his pregnant lover on fire.
The prosecuting officer, Sergeant Ganiyu Yahya, told the court that the
incident took place at Uwelu Quartres in Benin, and was reported by the
victim, Stella Isaac, on July 6, the same day it occurred.
Yahya said Esonahae poured kerosene on Stella, who was said to be 7 months pregnant, lit a match and set her on fire.
He said 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.
He said the victim, who was later rushed to the Central Hospital, where
she received treatment sustained burns on her hands and forehead.
The police prosecutor also told the court that Esonahae had earlier
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.
The charge read:
“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 accused pleaded guilty to the offence and begged for leniency.
But the presiding magistrate, Igho Braimoh, said the court would not be
lenient, adding, “for a 37-year-old man to set a lover on fire leaves
much to be desired.”
She, therefore, sentenced him to 5 years in prison with hard labour.
Punch
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