Raping 4-Year-Old Girl
A 32-year-old man, Akaninyene Sunday Ekwere, has been handed a life imprisonment sentence for raping 4-year-old girl in Ikot Ibritam, Oruk Anam local government area of Akwa Ibom State.
Ekwere, known locally as “Doctor,” was found guilty of the rape charge by Justice Nkereuwem Obot of the state High Court in Ikot Ibritam Oruk Anam. The judge declared that Ekwere was a danger to society who does not deserve to live among sane people before issuing the maximum sentence.
The convicted rapist, who trades in engine oil, electrical appliances, and phone recharge cards, reportedly lured the 4-year-old into his shop where he brutally defiled her. The minor victim was the last child of a family of five.
The sexual assault came to light when the victim’s mother discovered bruises around her daughter’s private parts while bathing her. This prompted the family to report the heinous act to the police, leading to Ekwere’s arrest and prosecution.
In his confession, Ekwere admitted seeing the little girl playing outside the compound and inviting her to his shop. He then heartlessly rubbed vaseline on the 4-year-old’s private parts to force himself upon her.
During sentencing, Ekwere shamelessly pleaded for mercy from the judge because he is a married man. However, Justice Obot remained resolute in issuing the maximum punishment under the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Laws 2020.
In addition to his life imprisonment for Raping 4-Year-Old Girl conviction without the possibility of parole, Ekwere will also have his name entered into Akwa Ibom’s sex offenders register. The public list is designed to name and shame rapists as well as alert communities whenever convicted offenders are released from prison.
Activists have commended the swift administration of justice in this case compared to previous incidents of rape in Akwa Ibom. Still more work remains, but the strict life term sentence sends a strong warning that rape of minors will be severely punished in the state. Leaders must strengthen prevention measures while reforming cultural attitudes on sexual violence against women and young girls.
Source Man, 32 bags life imprisonment for raping Minor in A-Ibom, published in the Vanguard