Man bags life sentence for raping 8-year old minor in C’ River

A High Court in Cross River on Wednesday sentenced one Mr Uduak Udo to life imprisonment for raping of an eight-year old minor in Calabar.
According to the matter which was first reported on March 31, 2025, Udo a 39 year old man was alleged to have raped the minor.
However, the now convict had denied the allegation.
Delivering judgment on the matter on Wednesday in Calabar, Justice Blessing Egwu imposed the maximum penalty of life imprisonment on Udo, noting his persistent denial throughout the proceedings.
According to her, given the lack of any mitigating factors to justify a lesser term, the severity of the crime necessitated the harshest possible sentence.
Egwu also issued a stern reprimand to the mother of the survivor, citing her role in exposing the child to significant danger.
She heard that the mother had forced the young child into street hawking rather than ensuring the child was in school.
”Following an incident where the child spilled the goods being sold, the mother physically abused the victim and eventually locked the child out of the house.
”The child sought refuge at Mr Udo’s house who initially allowed her to stay, however, at night, he bypassed his sleeping wife, went to the parlour where the child was and committed the heinous crime against the minor,” she said.
speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr James Ibor, Principal Counsel, Basic Rights Council Initiative (BRCI), an advocacy group that followed the matter, commended the judiciary and prosecutors for their diligence in ensuring justice for the survivor.
Ibor also lauded the Cross River’s Commissioner of Police, Rashid Afegbua, and Attorney General of the state, Ededem Ani for their roles.
He vowed that his organisation would keep fighting for the protection of vulnerable children.
“This verdict serves as a stern warning against child abuse, it underscores that sexual violence against minors carries severe, uncompromising legal consequences within the state’s justice system.