A 35-year-old man from Akwa Ibom State has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by a Family Court in Umuahia, Abia State, for defiling a five-year-old girl. In a separate case, a 32-year-old offender received a 30-year prison term for defiling a 13-year-old girl. The Abia State Government described these convictions as a major breakthrough in its campaign against sexual and gender-based violence.
Government Announces Convictions
Abia State Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, disclosed the sentences on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Umuahia while briefing journalists after the State Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Alex Otti. Kanu stated that the convictions underscore the administration's zero-tolerance policy towards sexual offences and serve as a warning to perpetrators.
According to Kanu, the convictions are among the landmark achievements of the state's Nchedo Sexual Assault Referral Centre at the General Hospital, Aba. “The centre has continued to provide coordinated medical, psychosocial and referral services to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence,” he said.
Fresh Cases Under Investigation
The commissioner disclosed that the facility is currently handling two fresh cases: a 60-year-old woman allegedly subjected to gang rape, and a five-year-old child who survived defilement. The Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection has continued to implement the state's social protection framework by identifying and supporting vulnerable residents requiring urgent medical and humanitarian assistance.
Fast Prosecution Praised
Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Ngozi Felix, said one of the convicts fled to Nasarawa State after committing the offence but was tracked and returned to Abia by the police for prosecution. She described the prosecution as “one of the fastest recorded within Nigeria's network of Sexual Assault Referral Centres,” attributing the outcome to collaboration among the Ministries of Health, Justice, Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, as well as the Nigeria Police Force.
Felix commended the Abia State Commissioner of Police, Danladi Isa, for the command's support during the investigation and prosecution of sexual violence cases. She reiterated that the Governor Alex Otti-led administration remains committed to protecting vulnerable residents and ensuring justice for survivors of sexual violence.
