Nigerian Student Bags 14 Years in Jail Over S+xual A+sault and Secret Recording in Cyprus

A Cyprus-based Nigerian student, Obasi Chimezirm Princewill, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison after being found guilty of s+xually a+saulting a woman in her dormitory and recording the act without her consent.

The incident reportedly took place in Nicosia’s Hamitköy area between the night of March 25 and the early hours of March 26, 2023. According to reports, the victim and the defendant were acquaintances. Princewill allegedly entered her room, overpowered her, and a+saulted her multiple times during the att@ck.

During the trial, Police Sergeant Mustafa Mahan told the court that authorities had also received several previous r@pe allegations against the defendant. He further alleged that Princewill attempted to silence some complainants by offering them ₦500,000.

Delivering judgment, a panel of judges at the Nicosia High Criminal Court found him guilty on all charges and handed down a 14-year prison sentence. Explaining the ruling, the court stated, “The defendant came to our country as a student. After becoming an illegal immigrant, he continued to reside here and committed such a grave crime.”

The court noted that the sentence reflected stricter penalties introduced under recent legal amendments in Cyprus due to the rise in s+xual offences. It also listed several aggravating factors, including recording the victim without consent, evading arrest, and showing no remorse throughout the trial.