Appeal Court Delivers Justice: Life Sentence For Child Rapist
Upholding Justice in Child Protection
IN a landmark ruling that resonates across Nigeria’s justice system, the Asaba Division of the Court of Appeal has sentenced Mr. Uchenna Ukpa to life imprisonment for the rape of a 13-year-old girl. The appellate court’s decision, delivered on 17 December 2025, overturned the earlier judgment of the Delta State High Court, which had controversially discharged and acquitted Ukpa despite compelling evidence against him.
Ukpa’s case, filed as Charge No. A/48C/2023, attracted national attention due to its sensitive nature and the apparent failure of the trial court to hold the perpetrator accountable. During the original trial, the prosecution presented five witnesses to establish the defendant’s guilt. However, the trial judge ruled in February 2024 that the prosecution had not proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt, leading to Ukpa’s acquittal. The ruling sparked public outrage and raised questions about the enforcement of the Delta State Violence Against Persons Law, 2020.
Dissatisfied with the trial outcome, the Delta State Ministry of Justice, through its Sexual Offences, Domestic Violence, and Child’s Rights Unit, filed an appeal challenging the acquittal. Mrs. Blessing Oweibe-Cookey, prosecuting the appeal, argued that the High Court had erred in law by ignoring the weight of the evidence presented. Following the submission of briefs and oral arguments, the appellate court agreed, entering a verdict of guilt and imposing life imprisonment.
Legal experts have hailed the ruling as a decisive moment in Nigeria’s battle against sexual violence, emphasizing its potential to strengthen the enforcement of child protection laws. Advocates note that the decision sends a clear signal that perpetrators will face the full weight of the law, even when initial trials fail to secure convictions. For survivors and families of victims, the verdict represents both justice and hope that the judicial system can uphold the rights and dignity of vulnerable children.
