FROM THE COURTROOM TONIGHT
28 YEAR OLD SUYA SELLER SENTENCED TO SEVEN YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPE IN UYO
By Harrison Essien
An Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Uyo has sentenced a 28 year old man, Shehu Dikko, to seven years imprisonment for the rape of a 17 year old girl at Eka Street in Uyo, the state capital.
Dikko, a native of Sokoto State and a suya seller at IBB Junction in Uyo, was convicted on Monday after the court found him guilty of rape.
The offence was brought under Sections 1(a), 1(b), and 2 of the Akwa Ibom State Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law, Cap 162, Vol. 6, Laws of Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria, 2022.
Facts of the case
Evidence before the court showed that the incident occurred on September 6, 2023, at about 8.30 pm while the victim was on an errand to deliver food to her sister at a hospital.
The victim identified the defendant as a regular customer at her mother’s food business. She reported that the defendant restrained her and forcibly took her into his residence where the offence was committed. She was later assisted by members of the public and the matter was reported to the police. Her identity was withheld to protect her privacy.
The victim’s mother, a 53 year old trader from Bauchi State, told the police that she was solely responsible for raising her five children.
Prosecution’s case
The prosecution team from the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Justice called two witnesses. They included a medical doctor with 38 years professional experience who examined the victim, and the Investigating Police Officer.
Four exhibits were tendered and admitted in evidence, including the defendant’s confessional statement, the police investigation report, and the medical report, which confirmed injuries consistent with sexual assault.
Court’s findings
In a judgment that lasted about one hour, the trial judge, Justice Nsemeke Daniel, noted attempts by some persons to frustrate the prosecution of the case.
The court observed that pressure was allegedly mounted on the victim’s mother to withdraw the matter and that the victim was relocated outside Akwa Ibom State. Justice Daniel described these actions as deliberate attempts to undermine the course of justice.
He held that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, does not permit the withdrawal of a criminal case on such grounds and rejected the application brought before the court.
Sentence
While noting that the law prescribes life imprisonment for rape, Justice Daniel said the court exercised its discretion to temper justice with mercy.
He sentenced the defendant to seven years imprisonment without option of fine, effective February 9, 2026.
The judge stated that the sentence was intended to punish the offender and serve as a deterrent to others who may contemplate violating the rights of women and girls.
The conviction marks another enforcement of the Akwa Ibom State Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law, which seeks to protect vulnerable persons and ensure accountability for sexual offences.
