A Magistrate Court in the Umuahia North Magisterial District has sentenced Pastor Uche Arua Kalu, 40, to 10 years in prison without the option of a fine for the defilement of a 4-year-old girl in Amaogudu Abiriba, Ohafia Local Government Area, Abia State.
The ruling was delivered on Friday, March 7, 2025, by His Worship Onuoha U.C. (Miss), following Kalu’s guilty plea to the crime.
During the proceedings, Investigating Police Officer (IPO) ASP Iweajunwa presented the facts of the case. However, Kalu contradictory claimed he didn’t understand the accusations against him, despite having previously pleaded guilty on December 20, 2024.
Prosecuting Counsel, Chinedu Ikpa Esq. from the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Umuahia, reminded the court that Kalu had already confessed in the charge sheet, admitting he was surprised at his own actions when committing the serious crime.
In a moment of desperation, Kalu pleaded on his knees for the court’s mercy, fearing the possibility of life imprisonment under Section 7(1)(2) of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law 2019, under which he was charged.
The prosecution presented compelling evidence against the defendant, including his confession and the IPO’s investigative report.
Referencing the case of Uket v. The State (2024) LPELR – 80009 (CA), the prosecution emphasized that three key elements must be proven in a defilement case:
- The victim must be underage.
- The accused must have engaged in s*xual intercourse with the child.
- The child’s consent is irrelevant in such cases.
All elements were clearly established in this case, leading the court to find Kalu guilty as charged.
After reviewing the facts, the court determined that Pastor Uche Arua Kalu had engaged in unlawful carnal knowledge of a 4-year-old girl. He was subsequently sentenced to 10 years in prison, effective March 7, 2025.
