A Calabar High Court sentenced Imeh Sunday, 46, to life in jail for raping his biological daughter.
The lawsuit was prosecuted by the Basic Rights Counsel Initiative, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to preserving the rights of children and vulnerable people.
Justice Blessing Egwu of Cross River State’s Family Court 2 gave the decision on Wednesday, following the convict’s trial on counts of incestuous rape.
The court ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt, citing what it regarded as overwhelming evidence against the defendant.
Justice Egwu then imposed the maximum penalty. The organization’s Principal Counsel, James Ibor, praised the survivor for her courage and tenacity throughout the trial.
He also complimented the survivor’s guardians, the state Ministry of Justice, and the police for their efforts to secure the conviction.
“I wish to commend the survivor, her grandparents, the Honourable Attorney-General, the Commissioner of Police, the judiciary, as well as the staff and volunteers of BRCI for their commitment and support toward the survivor and her recovery,” he said.
The group stated that the latest conviction takes the total number of rape-related convictions it has obtained in Calabar and other parts of the state to four in the last four months.
In 2025, the Nigeria Police Force’s Bauchi State Police Command arrested a 28-year-old man for criminal intimidation, assault, and rape of his 8-year-old biological daughter.
The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Nafiu Habib, stated, “On 31/12/2025 one Baffa’ji Muhammed ‘m’ reported at the Divisional Police Headquarters, Alkaleri, that on 30/12/2025 at about 1830hrs, one Baffa’ji Abba ‘m’ aged 28yrs (same address as the complainant), lured his biological daughter (name withheld), aged 8yrs, into a bathroom and forcefully had carnal knowledge of her through both her vagina and anus about five times in a single day against her will.”
