See The Jail Time For Setting A Pregnant Woman Ablaze In Edo State (Photos)

If you ever wondered how many years you could face for setting a pregnant woman ablaze in Edo State, then continue reading this very interesting story that happened in Benin.

On Monday, an Egor Magistrates’ Court in Benin sentenced a 37-year-old bar operator, Lucky Esonahae, to five years imprisonment for setting his pregnant lover ablaze.

The charge read:

 That you, Lucky Esonahae, on July 6, 2015, at Uwelu Quartres, Benin, in Egor Magisterial District, did unlawfully cause grievous harm to one Stella Isaac, by setting her on fire with kerosene, which cause her bodily harm and, thereby, committed an offence punishable under Section 355(B) of the Criminal Code Cap 48, Vol. II, Laws of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria, 1976, as applicable to Edo State.

Read the full story after the jump and decide if you think this punishment is fair.


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

According to Yahya, 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.

According to him, the victim who was later rushed to the Central Hospital for treatment, sustained burns on her hands and forehead. The police prosecutor‎ 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 for shelter.

The accused 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.

Justice, injustice, or partial justice?