Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Pierre Antoine
A High Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River State, has sentenced 39-year-old Uduak Etim Udo to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of raping an eight-year-old girl in March 2025. The judgment, delivered on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, by Hon. Justice Blessing Egwu, underscores the judiciary’s stern approach to sexual violence against minors and reflects sustained efforts by legal and civil society actors to protect children and hold offenders fully accountable.
According to court records, the victim had sought refuge at Udo’s residence after being forced into street hawking by her mother, who allegedly sent her out to sell goods earlier in the day. On that night in March 2025, the prosecution told the court that Udo bypassed his sleeping wife and committed the heinous act against the vulnerable child. Throughout the trial, the defendant denied the allegations, but the evidence presented by prosecutors convinced the judge that the crime had been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
Delivering the judgment, Justice Egwu noted the aggravating circumstances of the case — especially the victim’s age, lack of consent, and betrayal of trust — factors that, under Cross River State law, warrant the harshest penalty available. She rejected calls for leniency, observing there were no mitigating factors that would justify a lesser sentence, and imposed life imprisonment in accordance with the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law and related statutes intended to protect minors.
The sentence immediately drew reactions from legal advocacy groups that supported the prosecution. The Basic Rights Counsel Initiative (BRCI), a civil society organisation that actively followed the case, welcomed the decision in a post-judgment statement. The organisation’s Principal Counsel, Barrister James Ibor, commended the judiciary, the Cross River State Police Command under Commissioner Rashid Afegbua, and the state’s Attorney General, Ededem Ani, for their roles in ensuring a thorough investigation and prosecution. According to BRCI, the ruling demonstrates that children’s rights are enforceable under the law and that sexual violence against minors attracts severe legal consequences.
In its statement, BRCI emphasised the symbolic and practical importance of the judgment, observing that it sends a clear message of societal intolerance for crimes of this nature. “A child was harmed. The justice system responded,” the organisation said, adding that the outcome highlights what is achievable when legal institutions fulfil their mandates without compromise. The group also reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for survivors and supporting efforts to prosecute offenders.
The prosecution’s case reportedly relied on testimony from forensic medical examinations, witness statements, and other material evidence presented during the trial. Although full details of the evidentiary record have not been publicly released, cases involving sexual offences against minors typically include medical reports and expert testimony to establish the occurrence of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.
The Calabar High Court’s decision comes amid a broader legal and social debate in Nigeria over the effectiveness of enforcement mechanisms in cases of child sexual abuse. Advocates have consistently called for stronger implementation of laws such as the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law and the Child Rights Act, which prescribe stringent penalties for sexual offences involving minors. The life sentence in this case aligns with those legislative frameworks, which aim to deter would-be offenders and signal the seriousness with which the national justice system treats violence against children.
Child protection stakeholders in Cross River State and beyond have emphasised that while convictions are crucial, comprehensive prevention strategies remain necessary. These include community education, strengthening of child welfare systems, rapid response to reported incidents, and sustained engagement with families to prevent children’s exposure to vulnerable situations such as long hours of street hawking or unsupervised care. Experts say that early intervention and community support are critical to reducing the prevalence of abuse and exploitation.
The ruling also highlights the role of civil society organisations in bridging gaps within the justice system. Groups like BRCI often provide legal support and advocacy that complement the work of law enforcement and prosecution agencies, helping to ensure that survivors’ voices are heard and that cases proceed without undue delay or compromise.
As of the sentencing, there has been no publicly disclosed appeal from the defence, and Udo is expected to begin serving his life term immediately. Life imprisonment in this context generally means confinement for the remainder of the convict’s natural life, subject to applicable statutory provisions concerning parole or review.
For the victim and her family, the outcome marks the culmination of a lengthy judicial process that began almost a year ago. For rights advocates, the case represents a judicial affirmation that the criminal justice system can act decisively to protect the most vulnerable and uphold fundamental rights.
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