A High Court sitting in Calabar, the capital of Calabar, has sentenced a 39-year-old man, Usual Etim Udo, to life imprisonment for the rape of an eight-year-old girl.
The conviction was handed down by the High Court of Cross River State following a full trial in which the prosecution established that the incident occurred in March 2025 within Calabar metropolis.
According to court proceedings, the offence was committed against the minor in her neighbourhood, leading to Udo’s arrest and subsequent prosecution by state authorities. The court found him guilty after reviewing witness testimonies and evidence presented during the trial.
In delivering judgment, the presiding judge held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. The court described the crime as grave and reprehensible, particularly given the age of the victim, and ruled that life imprisonment was the appropriate sentence under the relevant provisions of the law.
Legal observers note that rape of a minor carries severe penalties under Nigerian law, especially in cases involving children below the age of 18.
The convict is expected to serve his sentence in a custodial facility as directed by the court.
