By Kelvin Ololo
Hon. Justice Blessing Egwu of the High Court of Cross River State has convicted and sentenced Nsikak Friday Okon, a 38-year-old man, to life imprisonment for the rape of a 10-year-old girl.
The convict bagged the term in a ruling delivered by the judge on Wednesday, November 11, 2026 in Calabar.
Human Rights Lawyer and Principal Counsel of Basic Rights Counsel Initiative (BRCI), James Ibor, Esq., disclosed this on his social media page
He said the judgment reinforces the principle that every child has the right to live free from sexual violence, abuse and exploitation.
Rights advocate reiterated that while the judgment is welcomed, all must remember that behind every case of sexual violence is a child whose safety, dignity and wellbeing must remain paramount, adding that justice must go beyond punishment to include protection, survivor-centered support, access to appropriate care and the prevention of further abuse.
“The fight against sexual violence must remain collective, sustained and firmly rooted in the rights and best interests of survivors,” he noted.
The Human Rights Lawyer commended the Cross River State Government for demonstrating a commitment to addressing sexual violence, lauded the Nigeria Police Force for its thorough investigation and applauded the Honorable Attorney General of Cross River State, Ededem Ani Esq., for standing firm in the pursuit of justice despite the pressures that came with the case.
Ibor in the vain appreciated the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Okoi Ukam, and Nancy Agbor for their diligence and commitment to ensuring that the perpetrator was held accountable.
He also thanked team members saying: “I am particularly grateful to my team at Basic Rights CounseThel Initiative (BRCI) for standing alongside the survivor and her family throughout this difficult journey. Their friends, supporting survivors of sexual assault of that age goes beyond securing convictions, protecting their privacy, patiently listening to their needs and ensuring that they and their families receive the support they need to heal and rebuild can be challenging in Nigeria.”
Barr. James continued: “I also acknowledge our civil society and development partners, Safe Child Africa, ActionAid Nigeria and UNICEF Nigeria, for their invaluable support.”
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