32-year-old man jailed for raping 4-year-old in Akwa Ibom

Akaninyene Sunday Ekwere, a  32-year-old man, has been sentenced to life imprisonment  for raping a 4-year-old girl in Ikot Ibritam, Oruk Anam council area of Akwa Ibom State.

 Ekwere, a trader in engine oil, electrical appliances and recharge cards, reportedly  lured the minor to his shop, where he defiled the innocent girl, who 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 is 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, the  Judge,  Nkereuwem Obot of Akwa Ibom state high court sitting in Ikot Ibritam, Oruk Anam  said Akaninyene Ekwere does not deserve to live in the midst of sane people as he is dangerous to society.

 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 upon 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.