Uyo: 40-year-old man bags life imprisonment for sexual assault of 8-year-old boy
By Tobi Adetunji.
A 40-year-old-man, Aniekan John Udom has been sentenced to life in prison by an Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Uyo, for raping an 8-year-old boy in Uyo.
Udom, a native of Ikot Nkim in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area, was sentenced by Justice Bennett Ilaumo, having been found guilty of rape, which is punishable by section one and two of Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law, 2020.
The State Counsel, Maria Akpan while reading the fact of the case, had told the Court that Aniekan John Udom was caught by the victim’s lesson teacher while committing the offense in a broad daylight.
She said the culprit committed the crime at number 12 Anyan-ikot Street, off Abak Road, Uyo even as he was caught with his penis inserted into the anus of the victim, a primary four pupil.
He was said to have run away, but was later arrested by the Police.
The accused, who was a neighbour to the victim, pleaded guilty of the offense, which occurred Friday, 28th August, 2020.
The Police Medical Report confirmed that the victim was forcefully rapedwith clinical evaluation showing bruises around the anal region.
The report also showed an impression of sexual assault to rule out sodomy and at risk of sexually transmitted diseases.
Justice Ilaumo in his judgment in the suit number HU/23C/2020 between the State and Aniekan John Udom sentenced the accused to imprisonment for life.
“Upon the charge being read to the accused person and upon his plea of guilty and of his hearing the facts as stated by the State Counsel, I enquired of the accused if the facts are true and correct and he admitted that they are.
“I have aligned same with Section 1 (1) (a) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2020 and find that facts align with the provision of the law therein. Upon the accused person’s plea therefore, I find him guilty as pleaded”
“The sentence provided for upon conviction of this offence is imprisonment for life,” Justice Ilaumo held.
