Akwa Ibom Sentences 99 Rapists Over Five Years

From 2020 to 2025, Akwa Ibom State has imprisoned 99 individuals convicted of rape after the state enacted the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law.

Director of the Sexual and Gender‑Based Violence Response Department and Secretary of the Akwa Ibom State GBV Management Committee, Barr. Emem Ette, announced the figures at a press briefing that marked the beginning of the 2026 GBV Awareness Month, titled “Let’s End Gender-Based Violence Together.”

Ette said the state secured 102 convictions during the period: 99 for rape and three for spousal battery.

She noted a decline in GBV incidents in recent months but expressed concern over a rise in May, particularly child‑rape cases. The Committee works with stakeholders, including traditional rulers, to address gender‑based violence. Traditional rulers have received training on GBV response protocols and on avoiding harmful customary settlements that undermine justice.

Ette called for life imprisonment for rape offenders as a deterrent, while also acknowledging that long sentences can allow for rehabilitation and behavioural change. She cited examples of convicts who have shown good behaviour while awaiting trial.

“We’ve seen another small spike in GBV, especially rape involving children. All of us must unite to combat these issues. We have secured 102 convictions to date—three for spousal battery and 99 for rape,” she said.

To raise awareness and reduce GBV, the Committee has visited 15 villages to establish by‑law committees. These committees will draft regulations that reflect local cultural realities while remaining consistent with existing legal frameworks.

In addition to creating by‑laws, the Committee trains paralegals attached to village councils so they can mediate minor cases and ensure appropriate sanctions for offenders. Serious offences such as rape are always referred to the proper authorities for prosecution.

Ette urged communities to embrace the laws and use them as a guide in all interactions.

During the launch of GBV Awareness Month, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Uko Udom said the 2026 theme, “Implementing the Akwa Ibom State VAPP Law: From Awareness to Action,” reminds the state that it has moved beyond sensitisation to implementation.

Udom highlighted challenges to implementing the VAPP Law, including cultural barriers and family pressure, and warned that prosecutions should not be terminated or settled out of court in cases where a man or woman’s ribs are broken, a child is defiled, or a wife is battered unconscious.

He urged judges to exercise caution when granting bail in severe GBV cases, noting that releasing perpetrators could expose victims to further harm.

Udom also encouraged GBV victims to speak up and report incidents, assuring them that the state government has measures in place to prosecute abusers and provide safe shelter.

“To our judges and magistrates, I appeal to you. The law gives you discretion. Use it to protect survivors. When a GBV offender seeks bail, ask yourself: Will this person return to intimidate the victim? Will the survivor feel safe to testify? If the answer is no, let your decision reflect reality on the ground, not just the textbook,” he said.