Justice Archibong Archibong of an Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Uyo has sentenced a commercial motorcyclist, Michael Effiong Japhet, to life imprisonment for sexually assaulting a nursing mother after robbing her at knife-point.

Japhet’s conviction on charges of rape and stealing, under the Criminal Code Laws of Akwa Ibom State, 2000, brought to a close an 11-year legal battle following the incident on February 23, 2015.

The victim, a fruit seller, reportedly boarded the convict’s motorcycle at Ekom Iman Junction in Uyo on her way home to Ikot Ofon in Ikono Local Council, after the day’s business. However, instead of the agreed route, Japhet reportedly diverted into a bush path at Ikot Nsung, falsely claiming that his motorcycle had run out of fuel.

According to the evidence tendered in court, the convict robbed the woman of her purse containing N7,000 and a mobile phone, before threatening her with a knife and forcing her to undress.

Despite the victim’s plea that she was married and was a nursing mother, Japhet sexually assaulted her while threatening to stab her if she resisted. He later fled the scene on his motorcycle.

The victim told the court that the following morning, while returning to Ekom Iman Junction to continue her fruit business, she spotted the convict and alerted her husband, who helped to apprehend him, and her stolen phone was subsequently recovered from the suspect.

In his judgment, Justice Archibong sentenced Japhet to life imprisonment for sexual assault and an additional three years for stealing.