Speaking to Zodiak Online, Ayuba James argues that the length and custodial sentence handed over to the teenager is punitive hence the interest to appeal the sentence.

"The Magistrate court in Ntcheu errored in handing over the 14-year jail term sentence to the Ntcheu 18-year-old boy, Leonard Jana and it has to be reviewed," he said.

Ayuba James told us he has already contacted the family of the boy and all paperwork regarding the appeal will be done by end of this week.

Esmie Tembenu is a Women and Child Rights Activist and says she sees no reason with Lawyer Ayuba James's interest to appeal the sentence.

The convict, Leonard Jana committed the offense between June to August 2021 while co-habiting with the girl as husband and wife in Ntcheu.

However, in his sentence last week, First Grade Magistrate, Chimdima Phiri, hopes the 14-year jail term on Jana will serve as a deterrent to other would-be offenders.