Okon, who was caring for the teenager, was arraigned before Chief Magistrate C.J. Nkwoada after being arrested following a petition by the Stand For Humanity Foundation.
She pleaded guilty to the charge of assault brought against her by the police.
According to the charge sheet, Okon committed the offence on September 19 at Umuneke, Ngor Okpala, in the Ngor Okpala Magisterial District, by pouring hot water on the minor’s head and body, causing her grievous harm.
The charge stated that the offence was punishable under Section 355 of the Criminal Code, Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, as applicable in Imo State.
During the proceedings, prosecution counsel, Sampson Obodo, presented photographs showing the injuries sustained by the teenager and tendered statements made to the police by the complainant, the victim and the human rights organisation that initiated the arrest.
Following her conviction, the court asked Okon to plead for mercy before sentencing. She pleaded with the court to have mercy on her, while her counsel, Innocent Onyekwere, also urged the court to be lenient.
The court subsequently sentenced her to six months in prison but gave her the option of paying a N50,000 fine instead of serving the jail term.
President of the Stand For Humanity Foundation, Chidiebube Okeoma, who led more than 20 members of the organisation to the court on Friday, said the group initiated the arrest to remind the public that child abuse is punishable under the law.
Okeoma, a journalist and child rights advocate, said the conviction and sentencing should serve as a lesson to people who abuse children.
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