A High Court of Cross River State presided over by Justice Blessing Egwu on Monday sentenced Okon Ekpo Effiong to death for acts of aggravated assault, rape and armed robbery.
Effiong, 33, had alongside four others gang raped a lady and two teenage girls after an armed robbery attack.
The attack occurred on April 27th, 2024 along Mount Zion Street in Calabar South Local Government Area with valuables also carted away.
Justice Egwu held that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt hence the decision of the Court to hand the d3ath penalty.
Effiong and one of his partners were arrested. The partner d!ed in custody while three other remain at large.
For the prosecution, the judgment which they hope will serve as deterrence, is a welcome development, and the product of teamwork, the Director of Public Prosecution in Cross River State, Okoi Ukam Esq, told Cross River Watch.
“Deterrence has always been the key message when we treat cases,” he said, adding that; “if we used to treat such matters with kids gloves before, that has changed in this administration. Our records are very clear on that.”
He attributed the success of the prosecution led by Joseph Akpajung Esq to the efforts and leadership of the Attorney General and Justice Commissioner, Ededem Ani Esq whom he says has refused to bow to pressures to withdraw cases like this when petitions are filed.
“The Attorney General read a riot act to prosecutors. Once you get your brief, you must research and work on it, so, this is not different, I commend the Attorney General for his leadership and the staff for their commitment,” he said.
Furthermore, Mr. Ukam commended the Cross River State Police Command led by CP Rashid Afegbua and the gender unit for its work.
“For such cases, like this prisoner, yes, he is now a prisoner, who has been sentenced to death, investigations are the key to successful prosecution. I commend the police and its gender unit which has been working with us. They have done really well,” he added.
The Principal Counsel, Basic Rights Counsel Initiative, James Ibor Esq who monitored the case explained why the sentence was preferred despite the campaigns for the abolishment of the d3ath sentence.
“We have what we call sentencing guidelines and the Court followed them in this case,” Ibor explained.
“After the conviction, during the sentencing hearing, the matter of aggravated assault came up.
“Here you have a scenario where it wasn’t just armed robbery where they made away with valuables, they sexually molested children, one of whom was on her period.
“Then, they took their aunt to an uncompleted building and took turns in raping her. Therefore it is beyond just the crime, but the impact other actions have on the victims.
“Already, the maximum penalty for armed robbery is death. The aggravated circumstances which saw the victims being harmed further with their phones even used by the suspects made it worse for them.”
The convict said that he regrets his actions and feels the sentence was excessive.
The law provides him an option of an appeal up to the Supreme Court.
His counsel, Bassey Otop Esq, who was assigned from the Centre for Citizens’ Rights and Office of the Public Defender, also said the judgment will be appealed.
One of the victims, (name withheld for pro) said the memory still hurts but is soothed a bit now knowing Mr. Effiong is put away for good.
She commended the prosecution team whom she said never asked her for support and did their job diligently.
“I am happy and I thank everyone who ensured this came to pass. I thank my brother, the prosecutor who handled this case well. All of you and those who kept watch so that it doesn’t go sideways, I thank you all.
“I am happy, but there isn’t much I can’t say now than I hope the rest are caught too.”
