Man sentenced to 5 years for setting pregnant lover on fire

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September 1, 2015 10:23 AM

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.

A 37-year-old bar operator who was identified as Lucky Esonahae was arraigned in count because he cause body harm by setting his pregnant lover on fire.

The incident which took place at Uwelu Quartres in Benin, and was reported by the victim, Stella Isaac, on July 6, the same day it occurred. Esonahae poured kerosene on Stella, who was said to be 7 months pregnant, lit a match and set her on fire.

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The victim, Stella Isaac 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. She was later rushed to the Central Hospital, where she received treatment sustained burns on her hands and forehead.

The police prosecutor Sergeant Ganiyu Yahya 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 accused, Lucky Esonahae 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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