A Chief Magistrate’s Court in Imo State has sentenced a woman, Rose Okon, to six months’ imprisonment for assaulting her 14-year-old niece by pouring hot water on her.
Okon was sentenced on Friday, October 2, 2026, by Chief Magistrate C.J. Nkwoada after she pleaded guilty to a one-count charge of assault. The court, however, gave her the option of paying a ₦50,000 fine instead of serving the jail term.
According to the charge sheet, the incident occurred on September 19 at Umuneke, in Ngor Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State. The prosecution alleged that Okon poured hot water on the teenager’s head and body, causing injuries described as grievous harm.
During the proceedings, prosecution counsel, Sampson Obodo, tendered photographs showing the injuries sustained by the teenager, as well as statements made to the police by the victim and the convict. A statement from the Stand For Humanity Foundation, which petitioned the police over the incident, was also presented to the court.
Following her conviction, Okon pleaded for mercy and her counsel, Innocent Onyekwere, urged the court to temper justice with mercy.
Speaking after the judgment, the President of Stand For Humanity Foundation, Chidiebube Okeoma, said the organisation pursued the case to draw attention to the legal consequences of child abuse. He said the foundation would continue its advocacy and efforts to protect children from abuse in Imo State.
