A 60-year-old man, Felix Jimmy Akpan, has been sentenced to life in prison by the Akwa Ibom State High Court in Uyo for the rape of an 8-year-old girl.
The legal proceedings began on June 24, 2024, when Akpan was formally charged with the offense. Following a thorough trial process, the court found him guilty and delivered the judgment on May 12, 2025, handing down a life sentence as prescribed by law.
The Director and Head of the Gender-Based Violence Response Department at the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Justice, Barrister Emem Gabriel Ette, announced the court’s decision via a public statement on Wednesday, May 14. She emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to justice and protection of vulnerable individuals, particularly children.
In her words: “The Ministry of Justice has removed a predator from our streets. Justice has been served. We continue to fight against rape and all forms of sexual violence.”
This ruling highlights the state’s zero-tolerance stance on sexual crimes and its ongoing efforts to ensure justice for survivors, especially minors.
