COURT JAILS MAN FOR LIFE OVER RAPE OF 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN AKWA IBOM
By: Safiya Abdulrahim Dabban
The Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Ikot Abasi has sentenced Israel Emmanuel Jacob to life imprisonment for raping a 13-year-old minor.
Justice Ini-Abasi Udobong handed down the judgment after finding Jacob guilty of luring the girl to a farm where she had gone to get cassava stems for her mother. The prosecution told the court that Jacob accused the child of stealing, threatened to report her, and then forced himself on her when she refused his demands.
The court heard that the victim raised an alarm during the attack but no one came to help. Jacob fled after the assault but was later arrested.
In delivering judgment, the judge said the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and that the law leaves no room for leniency in such crimes.
The ruling has been welcomed by child rights advocates who say it sends a strong message against sexual violence in the state.