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The High Court in Calabar, Cross River State, has sentenced a 39-year-old man, Uduak Etim Udo, to life imprisonment for raping an eight-year-old girl. The incident occurred in March 2025 in Calabar.
The judgment comes at a time when there is a spike in women being tagged as ‘false accusers’ of rape. The sentence was delivered on February 24, 2026, by Hon. Justice Blessing Egwu of the Cross River State High Court. The court applied the strict provisions of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, which prescribes life imprisonment for rape convictions involving minors.
The court applied the strict provisions of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, which prescribes life imprisonment for rape convictions involving minors.
The case was successfully prosecuted by the Basic Rights Counsel Initiative (BRCI), a non-governmental organisation committed to promoting and protecting the rights of children and indigent women.
The Principal Counsel of BRCI, Barrister James Ibor, described the verdict as a triumph of justice and accountability. He commended Justice Egwu for her firm and principled adjudication of the matter.
Barrister James also expressed appreciation to the Commissioner of Police, Rashid Afegbua; the Attorney General of Cross River State, Ededem Ani; the Director of Public Prosecutions, Okoi Ukam; and Rajunor Tom for their diligence in prosecuting the case and safeguarding the future of children.
In a statement issued after the ruling, BRCI said the judgment reinforces that children’s rights are enforceable under the law and that sexual violence against children carries severe legal consequences.
“A child was harmed. The justice system responded. The court has now delivered its judgment,” the organisation stated.
BRCI added that the outcome demonstrates what is possible when institutions carry out their legal duties fully and without compromise, pledging to continue pursuing justice and supporting survivors. Meanwhile, Nigerians are increasingly asking for child rapists to be sentenced to death.
@Stephdalchemist posted on X: “DEATH!!!!!!!!!! To all rapists, pedophiles, child molesters and abusers.”
