A High Court in Cross River State on Wednesday sentenced Mr. Uduak Udo to life imprisonment for the rape of an eight-year-old girl in Calabar.
The case, first reported on March 31, 2025, involved allegations that the 39-year-old assaulted the minor. Udo had denied the charge during the trial.
In her judgment delivered in Calabar, Justice Blessing Egwu handed down the maximum sentence of life imprisonment, noting that the convict maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings. She stated that in the absence of any mitigating circumstances, the gravity of the offence warranted the stiffest penalty under the law.
Justice Egwu also strongly rebuked the survivor’s mother for exposing the child to danger, having reportedly sent her out to hawk on the streets instead of ensuring she attended 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.
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.