Court sentences man to 25 years imprisonment for drugging, raping 13-year-old girl for 2 months
Justice Blessing Egwu of the Calabar Division of the High Court of Cross River State handed down a 25-year prison sentence to Matthew Sunday Uyangha for the heinous crimes of abduction and rape.
The disturbing incident took place in July 2022 when Mr. Uyangha abducted a 13-year-old orphan (identity protected) from Akpabuyo. He then drugged her and took her to an undisclosed location in Esuk Utan, Calabar, where he subjected her to repeated acts of sexual assault for a period of two months before he was eventually arrested.
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During the trial, Justice Egwu carefully examined the evidence presented and found it to be overwhelmingly incriminating, leading to a guilty verdict on both charges of abduction and rape.
In response to the judgment, James Ibor Esq, the lead Counsel of Basic Rights Counsel Initiative (BRCI), expressed his gratitude to the State and the Judiciary for their commitment to safeguarding the welfare of children.
He emphasized that the ruling sends a strong message that Cross River will not tolerate rapists. Furthermore, he 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 Defense Corps (NSCDC) for their collaboration in ensuring that justice was served and seen to be served.
Rajunor Tom, Esq, a member of FIDA who was part of the prosecution team, praised the judiciary and Judge Egwu for their unwavering courage in upholding justice. Similarly, Jacob Oban, Esq, who represented NAPTIP, expressed his elation with the outcome of the case.
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