Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A Cross River State Family Court has delivered a stern verdict that sends an unmistakable message to sex offenders. Justice Blessing Egwu of Family Court 2 in Calabar on Wednesday sentenced a 27‑year‑old man, Edidiong Nyojole, to life imprisonment for the rape of a 13‑year‑old girl in the Uwanse area of Calabar South.
The court found that Nyojole, together with an accomplice who remains at large, forcefully dragged the minor into an uncompleted building where he sexually assaulted her. In finding the defendant guilty, Justice Egwu relied on strong medical evidence, corroborated witness testimonies, and the defendant’s own admission of guilt during trial.
In addition to the life sentence, the court ordered Nyojole to pay ₦1 million in compensation to the victim. The case was prosecuted by the Cross River State Ministry of Justice in collaboration with the Basic Rights Counsel Initiative (BRCI), a non‑governmental organisation that advocates for the rights of indigent women and vulnerable children.
Following the judgment, the Basic Rights Counsel Initiative described the ruling as a firm judicial stance against sexual violence and an affirmation that perpetrators of such crimes will be held fully accountable under the law. “This conviction shows a firm judicial stance against sexual violence and affirms that perpetrators of such crimes will be held fully accountable under the law,” the organisation said in a statement.
BRCI’s Principal Counsel, James Ibor, Esq., commended the Nigeria Police in Cross River State, the Attorney‑General and Commissioner for Justice, Etubom Ededem Charles Ani, and the staff of BRCI for their efforts in securing the conviction. “Cross River State, you can confirm, has zero tolerance for SGBV,” Ibor stated, referring to Sexual and Gender‑Based Violence.
Ibor also noted that the increasing number of rape convictions in Cross River State reflects growing public trust in the legal system. “People are saying the number of convictions is increasing in Cross River State. These cases happen in other states too. What has increased in Cross River State is that people now report more because they trust that they will get justice,” he told PREMIUM TIMES.
SGBV is a critical issue in Cross River State, where recent judicial action has shown a pattern of decisive sentencing. This latest conviction follows a string of similar rulings:
· In April 2026, a 46‑year‑old man was handed a life sentence for raping his daughter.
· In February 2026, a 39‑year‑old man received a life sentence for the rape of an eight‑year‑old girl. These cases highlight the state’s intensified efforts to combat gender‑based violence.
The current case underscores the gravity with which the courts treat sexual violence. The prosecution’s case was built on compelling medical evidence, witness accounts, and the defendant’s own statements.
Justice Egwu’s ruling sends a clear signal: sexual predators will face the maximum penalty. The order for compensation, though secondary to the trauma endured, provides some financial means for the survivor to access care and support.
The fight, however, is not over. The accomplice who participated in the crime remains at large. Police authorities have yet to announce any arrests, leaving a crucial loose end that must be addressed. The victim deserves to see all perpetrators brought to justice, and the Nigeria Police in Cross River State must intensify their efforts to locate and arrest the second suspect.
This case is a victory, but it also serves as a reminder that much work remains in the battle against sexual violence.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments