Nigeria, July 20 -- A state high court in Ogidi, Anambra State, has convicted and sentenced a choirmaster, James Onuorah, to 25 years' imprisonment for raping and impregnating a 16-year-old girl during deliverance session in the state.

The court also sentenced the defendant to seven years' imprisonment for offensive conduct, Punch newspaper reported.

The judgement was delivered on Friday 17 July in the case in which Mr Onuorah was listed as the sole defendant, according to a charge sheet obtained on Sunday by the newspaper.

Mr Onuorah was arraigned on a three-count charge of rape and offensive conduct.

The prosecution, led by M.C. Ikeabunze, and Nkiru Nzekwu, told the court that rape was contrary to and punishable under Section 3(1)(a...