Justice Archibong Archibong of the Akwa Ibom State High Court in Uyo has sentenced a commercial motorcyclist, Michael Effiong Japhet, to life imprisonment for raping a nursing mother after dispossessing her of valuables at knifepoint.
Japhet was found guilty of rape and stealing under the Criminal Code Laws of Akwa Ibom State, 2000, ending an 11-year court process that stemmed from the incident which occurred on February 23, 2015.
The court heard that the victim, a fruit trader, had boarded the convict’s motorcycle at Ekom Iman Junction in Uyo while returning to her home in Ikot Ofon, Ikono Local Government Area, after closing for the day. Rather than following the agreed route, Japhet allegedly diverted into a bush path at Ikot Nsung, claiming his motorcycle had run out of fuel.
Evidence presented before the court showed that the convict stole the woman’s purse containing N7,000 and a mobile phone before brandishing a knife and compelling her to remove her clothes.
Although the victim begged him, explaining that she was married and a nursing mother, Japhet proceeded to sexually assault her while warning that he would stab her if she resisted. He later escaped from the location on his motorcycle.
The victim testified that the next morning, while heading back to Ekom Iman Junction to resume her fruit business, she recognised the convict and alerted her husband, who assisted in arresting him. Her stolen mobile phone was later recovered from the suspect.
Delivering judgment, Justice Archibong sentenced Japhet to life imprisonment for rape and imposed an additional three-year prison term for stealing.
