Man sentenced to life imprisonment for raping a 4-year-old girl in Akwa Ibom

An Akwa Ibom State High Court has sentenced a 32-year-old man, Akaninyene Sunday Ekwere, to life imprisonment for raping a 4-year-old girl.

Ekwere, a trader who deals on engine oil, electrical appliances and recharge cards, reportedly lured the minor to his shop where he defiled her.

The girl is the last child in a family of five.

The mother of the victim discovered the 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.

In his judgment, Justice Nkereuwem Obot held that Ekwere does not deserve to live in the midst of sane people as he is dangerous to the society.

Justice Obot found the accused guilty and sentenced him to life imprisonment.

The convict who is popularly called “Doctor” pleaded with the court to have mercy on 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 in the registrar of sex offenders in the state.