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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.
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