Rita Enemuru, Reporting
A High Court in Uyo has sentenced a commercial motorcyclist, Micheal Effiong Japhet, to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of raping a married woman and nursing mother, bringing to a close a case that stemmed from an attack in 2015.
Delivering judgement on Tuesday, Justice Archibong Archibong convicted Japhet of rape and stealing under the Criminal Code Laws of Akwa Ibom State, 2000.
The prosecution told the court that the victim, a fruit vendor, had hired the convict’s motorcycle from Ikom Iman Junction to her residence in Ikot Ofon on 23 February 2015 after the close of business.
Rather than taking her home, Japhet diverted onto a bush path, claiming his motorcycle had run out of fuel.
He then produced a knife, threatened to stab the woman and dispossessed her of her purse containing ₦7,000 and a China Nokia mobile phone.
The court heard that the convict subsequently forcefully had carnal knowledge of the victim despite her repeated pleas that she was a married woman and a nursing mother.
The victim later recognised Japhet while travelling to her place of business and immediately alerted her husband.
Her husband rushed to the scene, recovered the stolen mobile phone and ensured the suspect was apprehended and handed over to the police.
Following the conclusion of the trial, Justice Archibong sentenced Japhet to life imprisonment for the rape offence and imposed an additional three-year prison term for stealing.
