“I regret my actions, but sentence extreme”
A 33-year-old man, Okon Ekpo Effiong, has been sentenced to death by a Cross River State High Court sitting in Calabar for armed robbery, rape and aggravated assault.
The court was presided over by Justice Blessing Egwu.
The convict, along with four others, two who were at large, was accused of raping a lady and two young girls after they violently dispossessed them of their valuables.
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The attack occurred on 27th April 2024, along Mount Zion Street in Calabar South Local Government Area of the state.
In delivering judgment Justice Egwu held that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt, hence the decision of the Court to hand down the death penalty.
Effiong and one of his partners, who died in custody, were arrested by the Rapid Response Squad of the Nigeria Police, Cross River State Command.
Reacting to the judgment, the Principal Counsel of Basic Rights Counsel Initiative (BRCI), James Ibor, who monitored the case, explained why the death sentence was preferred despite the campaigns.
“We have what we call sentencing guidelines and the Court followed them in this case.
“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 unfinished 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,” Ibor explained.
Effiong who regretted his actions, said he felt the sentence was excessive.
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The law provides him with the option of an appeal up to the Supreme Court.
His counsel, Bassey Otop, who was assigned from the Centre for Citizens’ Rights and Office of the Public Defender, also said the judgment would be appealed.
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