JOHN INYANG OKORO, J.S.C. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This is an appeal against the judgment of the Court of Appeal sitting in Benin delivered on 15th March, 2013 wherein the Lower Court affirmed the judgment of the High Court of Delta State which convicted and sentenced the appellant to six years imprisonment with six strokes of the cane for the offence of defilement.
As I can garner from the record of appeal, the facts reveal that on or about the 16th day of June, 2010, the appellant invited and requested a child of 5 years of age to buy pure (sachet) water for him. On her return, the appellant lured her into his room, pulled her pant and had carnal knowledge of her. The appellant was arrested and charged to court for prosecution. The charge read as follows:-
"STATEMENT OF OFFENCE:
COUNT 1:
Defilement punishable under Section 218 of the Criminal Code Cap. 48 Volume II, Laws of the Defunct Bendel State 1976 as applicable in Delta State.
PARTICULARS OF OFFENCE
Boniface Adonike …