Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Ikot Ibritam, Oruk Anam Local Government Area of the state has sentenced one Akaninyene Sunday Ekwere, to life improvement for raping a four-year-old girl in the community.
Ekwere, a trader in engine oil, electrical appliances and recharge cards, reportedly lured the minor to his shop, where he defiled the innocent girl, who is the last child in a family of five.
The mother of the victim discovered bruises around her private part when she bathed her, prompting her parents to report the matter to the Police.
In his confessional statement, Ekwere, who hails from Ikot Ibritam, and a neighbour to the victim, said he saw the minor playing outside the compound and invited her to his shop, where he rubbed vaseline oil on her private part and raped her.
Delivering judgment, the presiding judge, Justice Nkereuwem Obot, said Ekwere does not deserve to live in the midst of sane people, as he is dangerous to society. He therefore found the accused guilty and sentenced him to life imprisonment.
The convict, who is popularly called “Doctor” pleaded with the court to have mercy upon him as he is a married man.
Under the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Laws, 2020, rape carries life imprisonment, in addition to the name of the victim being entered into the registrar of sex offenders in the state.
