MAN JAILED FIVE YEARS FOR SETTING PREGNANT WIFE ABLAZE

An Egor Magistrates’ Court sitting in Benin, Edo State Monday sentenced one Lucky Esonahae, to five years imprisonment for setting his pregnant lover, Stella Isaac, ablaze.

Esonahae was said to have accused his pregnant wife of infidelity for allegedly returning home at about 6:00 pm from the hospital where she observes ante-natal examination and threatened to kill her. She immediately fled for her sister’s residence.

Esonahae who was arraigned one a one-count charge bothering on causing bodily harm then tried to burn his lover alive.

According to the Prosecuting Officer, Sergeant Ganiyu Yahya, the incident occurred on 6 July, 2015, at Uwelu Quartres in Benin, and was reported by the victim on the same day.

Yahya said that ‎Esonahae had locked Stella in a room, poured kerosene on the head of the woman, who was said to be carrying a seven-month pregnancy for him, lit a match and set her on fire.

‎The victim was however rescued by one of her sons and a neighbour, after forcing the door of her room open. She sustained burns on her hands and forehead, and was later rushed to the Central Hospital, where she received treatment.

The accused who pleaded guilty to the offense and begged for the Court for leniency.

Delivering his judgment, the Presiding Magistrate, Igho Braimoh, ‎said that the court would not be lenient on the convict, adding that “for a 37-year-old man to set a lover on fire, leaves much to be desired.”‎

He therefore sentenced Lucky Esonahae to five years in prison without an option of fine.