37-Year-Old Man Sets Pregnant Lover Ablaze In Edo State

An Egor Magistrates’ Court in Benin, Edo State, sentenced 37-year-old Lucky Esonahae to five years imprisonment for setting his pregnant lover ablaze.

The prosecuting officer, Sergeant Ganiyu Yahya, told the court that the incident occurred at Uwelu Quartres in Benin, and was reported by the victim, Stella Isaac, on July 6, the same day it occurred.

Yahya said Esonahae had poured kerosene on the head of the woman, who was said to be seven months pregnant, lit a match and set her on fire.

‎He said the victim was later rescued by one of her sons and one of 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, however, 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 antenatal and had threatened to kill her before she ran to her sister’s residence.

The accused, however, pleaded guilty to the offence and begged for leniency.

But the presiding magistrate, Igho Braimoh, ‎said the court would not be lenient, adding that “for a 37-year-old man to set a lover on fire leaves much to be desired.”

She, therefore, sentenced him to five years imprisonment with hard labour.