Man jailed 25 years for kidnapping, raping minor in Calabar
One Matthew Uyangha has been sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment for kidnapping and raping a 13-year-old orphan (name withheld).
Mr Uyangha was sentenced by Justice Blessing Egwu of the Calabar Division of the High Court of Cross River on Thursday.
He had drugged and kidnapped the orphan from Akpabuyo Local Government Area and took her somewhere in Esuk Utan in Calabar Municipality.
There, he raped his victim repeatedly for two months before men of the Civil Defence Corps arrested him.
Delivering her judgement, Ms Egwu held that the evidence against Mr Uyangha was overwhelming, finding him guilty of a two-count charge bordering on abduction and rape.
Reacting to the judgement, James Ibor, principal counsel of Basic Rights Counsel Initiative (BRCI), commended the state and judiciary for their determination to keep children safe.
Mr Ibor said, “The judgment showed that there is no place for rapists in Cross River as the judgment is a strong statement that the state is willing to uphold the true spirit of the Child Rights Law, among others.”
He also commended the Ministry of Justice, the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for their roles in upholding justice for the minor.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Economy
Subsidy Palliative: NEC asks governors to open social register for poor Nigerians
“We need to face the problem of the fact that we don’t have a credible register,” Governor Charles Soludo said.
Africa
UN celebrates Mandela’s human rights legacy
The United Nations on Thursday celebrated the life and legacy of the first black president of post-apartheid South Africa, Nelson Mandela, who died in 2013.
States
Subsidy Crisis: Tinubu approves infrastructure support fund for states
President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of the Infrastructure Support Fund (ISF) for states.
Sport
#FIFAWWC: Chiamaka Nnadozie shines as Nigeria’s Super Falcons, Canada play draw
The goalkeeper’s performance in the game earned her ‘Player of the Match’ award.
Anti-Corruption
Top U.S.-based Ghanaian doctor Kofi Sarfo, wife face 20 years in jail for fraud
Kofi Sarfo is a medical doctor and a Las Vegas hospital owner. His wife, Rose Sarfo, is the office manager and treasurer.
Economy
Subsidy Removal: NULGE tells Tinubu to raise minimum wage by 300%
The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has called for a 300 per cent increment in the minimum wage for workers.
