A High Court in Calabar, Cross River State, has sentenced a 39-year-old man Uduak Etim Udo, to life imprisonment for raping an eight year-old girl. T
he incident occurred in March 2025 in Calabar, Cross River State.
The judge, Hon. Justice Blessing Egwu, handed down the sentence on Tuesday, Febuary 24, 2026.
Barrister James Ibor, the Principal Counsel at Basic Right Council Initiatives (BRCI), a non-profit organization, commended Egwu for her firm and principled adjudication of the matter.
“I wish to thank the Commissioner of Police Rashid Afegbua, the Hon. Attorney General Ededem Ani, and the DPP Okoi Ukam for their commitment to safeguards the future of our children. Thank you Ranjunor Tom for your diligence in prosecuting this case”, he wrote.
In a statement issued after the ruling, BRCI added that the judgment reinforces that children’s rights are enforceable under the law and that sexual violence against children carries several legal consequences.
“A child was harmed. The justice system responded. The court has now delivered its judgment”, the statement read.
“Hon. Justice Blessing Egwu of the High Court of Cross River State today February 24, 2026 sentenced Uduak Etim Udo, a 39-year-old man, to life imprisonment for the rape of an 8-year-old.
“The outcome of this case shows what is possible when institutions carryout their legal duties fully and without compromise.
“Basic Rights Counsel Initiative recognizes the importance of this judgment because it reflects the work of individual who refused to overlook a child’s suffering but ensured the law took its course.
“Our Principal Counsel, James Ibor expresses appreciation to Hon. Justice Blessing Egwu for her firm and principled adjudication of this matter.
“We also acknowledge the Commissioner of Police, Rashid Afegbua, the Honourable Attorney General of Cross River State, Ededem Ani, the Director of Public Prosecution, Okoi Ukam, and Ranjunor Tom for their diligence in prosecuting this case and safeguarding the future of our children”.
-9News Nigeria.
