Nigerian Student Jailed 14 Years in Cyprus for Sexual Assault and Illegal Recording

A Nigerian student has been sentenced to 14 years in prison by the Lefkoşa High Criminal Court in Cyprus after being found guilty of sexual assault and unlawful recording of a victim.

The court heard that the incident took place between the night of March 25 and early hours of March 26, 2023, in a student dormitory in Hamitköy. The defendant, Obasi Chimezirm Princewill, entered the victim’s room with consent before carrying out the attack. He was found to have strangled the victim and sexually assaulted her multiple times. He also recorded the incident without the victim’s knowledge or permission.

Delivering judgment, Senior Judge Vedia Berkut Barkın stated that the court considered all evidence presented and found the defendant guilty on all charges. She noted that his conduct during the trial showed no expression of remorse.

The court also took into account that the defendant had remained in the country after losing legal immigration status, describing this as part of the wider context of the case.

In her remarks, the judge referenced recent amendments to criminal law addressing sexual offences, while also noting ongoing debate about whether penalties for such crimes adequately reflect their severity and impact.

Aggravating factors cited in sentencing included the use of violence, the secret recording of the assault, and the defendant’s lack of remorse. The court ultimately imposed a 14-year custodial sentence.