Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Calabar, Nigeria — A High Court in Cross River State has handed down a death sentence to Okon Ekpo Effiong, 33, after finding him guilty of aggravated assault, rape and armed robbery in a violent incident that shocked residents of the state capital. The ruling was delivered on Monday by Justice Blessing Egwu, marking one of the most severe criminal punishments issued in the region this year.
The judgment stems from a harrowing attack that took place on April 27, 2024, along Mount Zion Street in Calabar South Local Government Area, where Effiong and several accomplices accosted victims in a violent armed robbery, sexually assaulted a woman and two teenage girls, and stole valuables before fleeing the scene.
Effiong was among a group of five suspects involved in the offence. He and one partner were apprehended by the Rapid Response Squad of the Cross River State Police Command soon after the incident, while one of the group reportedly died in custody; three others remain at large.
During the trial, prosecutors led by the Director of Public Prosecution in Cross River State, Okoi Ukam Esq., presented evidence from victim testimony and police investigations to establish Effiong’s participation in the crimes. The court concluded that the prosecution had proven the allegations beyond reasonable doubt, affirming that the severity and brutality of the offences warranted the maximum penalty under Nigerian law.
In her ruling, Justice Egwu noted that the combined nature of the acts — the use of a weapon during the robbery and the sexual violence inflicted on both adult and minor victims — constituted aggravated circumstances under the criminal code. The presence of multiple victims, including young girls, and the traumatic impact of the crimes influenced the court’s decision to impose a death sentence, which remains the statutory maximum penalty for such offences in Nigeria.
Effiong expressed remorse during court proceedings but described the sentence as “excessive,” according to one close observer. His defence counsel, Bassey Otop Esq., who was reportedly assigned from the Centre for Citizens’ Rights and Office of the Public Defender, indicated that an appeal will be filed, with recourse potentially extending to the Supreme Court.
The sentence has sparked strong reactions across Cross River and beyond. Supporters of the judgment have described it as a necessary and proportionate response to particularly brutal crimes, arguing that it sends a deterrent message that violent offenders will face the full force of the law. Prosecutors emphasised that the case was pursued diligently, with strong collaboration between the police, gender unit investigators and state legal authorities.
However, the ruling also comes amid ongoing public and civil society debates over the death penalty in Nigeria. Rights groups and international organisations have for years campaigned against capital punishment on the grounds that it constitutes cruel and inhuman treatment, urging reforms to move towards alternative sentencing frameworks. Despite these global discussions, Nigeria’s legal code still permits death sentences for certain grave offences, including armed robbery and rape involving aggravating circumstances.
One of the victims, whose identity was withheld for safety reasons, reportedly expressed a measure of relief following the judgment, thanking law enforcement and prosecutors for their work while acknowledging the enduring emotional impact of the crime.
Legal analysts say the case highlights the balance Nigeria’s judiciary seeks to strike between deterrence and justice for victims of heinous crimes. They note that the constitutional right to appeal remains a critical safeguard, allowing higher courts to review sentences and ensure due process.
Cross River State continues to grapple with violent crime, and the conviction of Effiong marks a decisive moment in local efforts to prosecute serious offences swiftly and transparently. Security authorities have reiterated their commitment to pursuing suspects still at large in connection with this crime, with hopes that further arrests will be made to bring all perpetrators to justice.
The case now moves into the appeals phase, during which Effiong’s legal team will be expected to challenge aspects of the conviction and sentencing procedures. Depending on the outcome, the matter could ultimately reach Nigeria’s highest judicial forum.
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