Court sentences 46-year-old man to life imprisonment for raping daughter

A High Court sitting in Calabar has sentenced a 46-year-old man, Imeh Sunday, to life imprisonment for raping his daughter.

The prosecution of the case was led by the Basic Rights Counsel Initiative, a non-governmental organisation focused on protecting the rights of children and vulnerable persons.

The judgment, delivered on Wednesday by Justice Blessing Egwu of the Family Court 2 in Cross River State, followed the convict’s trial on charges bordering on incestuous rape.

The court held that the prosecution proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt, relying on what it described as overwhelming evidence against the defendant.

Justice Egwu subsequently handed down the maximum sentence prescribed by law.

Reacting to the judgment, the Principal Counsel of the organisation, James Ibor, commended the survivor for her courage and resilience throughout the trial.

He also praised the roles played by the survivor’s guardians, the state Ministry of Justice, and the police in securing the conviction.

“I wish to commend the survivor, her grandparents, the Honourable Attorney-General, the Commissioner of Police, the judiciary, as well as the staff and volunteers of BRCI for their commitment and support toward the survivor and her recovery,” he said.

The group disclosed that the latest conviction brings to four the number of rape-related convictions it has secured in the state within the past four months.

In 2025, the Nigeria Police Force, Bauchi State Police Command, arrested a 28-year-old man for criminal intimidation, assault and raping his 8-year-old biological daughter.

The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Nafiu Habib, stated, “On 31/12/2025 one Baffa’ji Muhammed ‘m’ reported at the Divisional Police Headquarters, Alkaleri, that on 30/12/2025 at about 1830hrs, one Baffa’ji Abba ‘m’ aged 28yrs (same address as the complainant), lured his biological daughter (name withheld), aged 8yrs, into a bathroom and forcefully had carnal knowledge of her through both her vagina and anus about five times in a single day against her will.”