(The Suspect. Photo Credit: Premuim Times Nigeria)
A High Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River State, has sentenced 41-year-old Endurance Sandy to life imprisonment for the rape of an 11-year-old girl, bringing closure to a case that began in 2021.
The judgment was delivered on Tuesday by Justice Blessings Egwu of the Family Court.
Human rights lawyer and Basic Rights Counsel Initiative co-founder James Ibor disclosed the conviction to journalists, commending all those involved in investigating and prosecuting the case.
According to Ibor, the convict and the victim resided in the same neighbourhood but had no prior relationship.
He explained that the incident occurred while the girl was running an errand, during which Sandy asked her to help him purchase an item and subsequently offered her a drink.
After consuming the drink, the girl found herself in the convict’s home the following morning and realized she had been sexually assaulted.
Ibor further disclosed that when the girl failed to return home, her parents began searching for her and eventually sought assistance from soldiers stationed at a nearby military post.
This is a sensitive matter involving child sexual abuse. If you or someone you know has experienced something similar, please consider reaching out to a trusted professional or relevant support service.