A High Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River State, has sentenced a 39-year-old man, Usual Etim Udo, to life imprisonment for raping an eight-year-old girl.

The incident occurred in March 2025 in Calabar. According to court proceedings, the defendant was arrested after the matter was reported to law enforcement authorities. He was subsequently charged and prosecuted under relevant child protection and sexual offences laws in the state.

Delivering judgment, the presiding judge held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. The court found the accused guilty of committing the offence against the minor and ruled that the severity of the crime warranted the maximum punishment prescribed by law.

In her remarks, the judge stressed the need to protect children from sexual abuse and warned that the court would not hesitate to impose stiff penalties on offenders. She noted that crimes involving minors are treated with utmost seriousness because of the long-term impact on victims.

The life sentence means the convict will remain in prison for the rest of his natural life subject to the provisions of Nigerian law.The verdict has been described by child rights advocates as a strong message that perpetrators of sexual violence against children will face strict consequences.