By Abasi Ita
A High Court in Calabar, Cross River State, has sentenced a 46 year old man, Imeh Sunday, to life imprisonment for raping his biological daughter.
The verdict was delivered on Wednesday by Justice Blessing Egwu of Family Court 2 after the defendant was tried on charges of incestuous rape.
The prosecution, handled by the Basic Rights Counsel Initiative, a non governmental organisation that advocates for the protection of children and vulnerable persons, presented evidence the court described as overwhelming.
In her ruling, Justice Egwu held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and consequently imposed the maximum penalty provided by law.
Reacting to the judgment, Principal Counsel of the organisation, James Ibor, commended the survivor for her courage and resilience throughout the trial.
He also lauded the efforts of the survivor’s guardians, the Cross River State Ministry of Justice, the police and the judiciary for their roles in securing the conviction and supporting the victim.
According to him, the conviction brings to four the number of rape related cases successfully prosecuted by the organisation in the state within the past four months.