A 41-year-old man, Endurance Ime Sandy, has been sentenced to life imprisonment by a Family Court II in Calabar after being convicted of raping an 11-year-old girl.
The presiding judge, Hon. Justice Blessings Obin Egwu, handed down the sentence on Wednesday, following the conclusion of a trial that lasted several months.
—“Conviction should serve as a lesson”—
The judge said the convict was guilty based on evidence available and deserved no mercy.
Justice Egwu said the conviction should serve as a big lesson to individuals whose stock-in-trade is to violate minors.
—Stakeholders lauded for support—
Principal partner at Basic Rights Counsel Initiative, Barr. James Ibor, expressed appreciation to the 13 Brigade of the Nigerian Army Calabar, the Cross River State Police Command, and the Attorney General of Cross River State, Etubom Ededem Ani, for the invaluable roles they played in the investigation.
“They provided invaluable support to the investigators and the child throughout the course of this case. A big thank you to Okoi Ukam, Esq and Mrs Linda Asuquo,” he wrote in his statement.
He said the commitment of the state government to protecting and ensuring the safety of children was unwavering.
