Gabriela Ezin, Calabar
A Cross River State High Court has convicted John Sunday Eyo for raping a 16-year-old girl and ordered that he be committed to the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service.
The judgment, delivered by Justice Blessing Egwu, marks the conclusion of the criminal trial and has been welcomed by child rights advocates as a boost to the campaign against sexual violence.
The Basic Rights Counsel Initiative (BRCI), in a statement issued after the judgment, applauded the Cross River State Police Command for its role in investigating the case and ensuring that the suspect was brought before the court.
The organisation also commended the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Etubom Ededem Ani, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Okoi Ukam, and Mrs. Linda Asuquo for their dedication to the successful prosecution of the case.
According to BRCI, the conviction underscores the importance of collaboration among law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and civil society organisations in securing justice for survivors of sexual violence.
The group further recognised the contributions of its staff and partner organisations, noting that their sustained support helped ensure accountability and the protection of the victim throughout the judicial process.
Reiterating its commitment to child protection, BRCI declared that there is no place for the abuse of children in Cross River State and called on residents to continue reporting cases of violence against children to the appropriate authorities.
It stressed that safeguarding children is a collective responsibility and pledged to continue working with relevant stakeholders to combat sexual and gender-based violence across the state.
