Michael Effiong Japhet, a commercial motorcycle operator, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for raping a married woman and nursing mother in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The conviction and sentencing occurred on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at the Akwa Ibom State High Court, Uyo, presided over by Hon. Justice Archibong Archibong. Japhet was found guilty of rape and stealing, punishable under the Criminal Code Laws of Akwa Ibom State, 2000.
Details of the Incident
The crime took place on February 23, 2015. The victim, a fruit seller at the popular Ekom Iman Junction in Uyo, hired Japhet to take her home to Ikot Ofon, Ikono, after closing her business for the day. Instead of following the agreed route, the convict diverted to Ikot Nsung, Ikono, drove into a bush path, and falsely claimed his motorcycle had run out of fuel.
He then forcefully collected the victim's purse containing N7,000 and a China Nokia phone. Threatening her with a knife, he demanded she undress. Despite her pleas that she was married and a nursing mother, Japhet raped her at knifepoint before fleeing on his motorcycle.
Arrest and Recovery
The following morning, while on her way to Ekom Iman Junction to resume her fruit business, the victim spotted the convict and alerted her husband. The suspect was immediately apprehended, and the victim's phone was recovered from him.
Court Judgment
In a judgment lasting about one hour, Justice Archibong Archibong sentenced Japhet to life imprisonment for rape and three years' imprisonment for stealing. Japhet pleaded with the court for mercy, but the judge stated that his hands were tied. The judgment brings to an end 11 years of diligent prosecution by the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Justice.
