38-Year-Old Nsikak Friday Okon Jailed for Life for Sexually Assaulting 10-Year-Old Girl in Cross River

A 38-year-old man, identified as Nsikak Friday Okon, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl in Cross River State.

Okon was convicted and sentenced on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, by the Cross River State High Court, presided over by Justice Blessing Egwu.

The judgment was secured by the Basic Rights Counsel Initiative (BRCI), a non-governmental organisation dedicated to protecting the rights of women and children.

Reacting to the verdict, BRCI’s Principal Counsel, James Ibor, Esq., commended the Cross River State Government, the Nigeria Police Force and other stakeholders whose contributions helped secure justice for the survivor.

Ibor particularly praised the state government for its commitment to combating sexual violence and acknowledged the police for conducting what he described as a thorough investigation.

He also recognised the contributions of the Attorney-General, Ededem Ani; the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Okoi Ukam; and Mr Joseph Apajung for their dedication to ensuring that the perpetrator was held accountable.

The lawyer further appreciated his colleagues at BRCI for standing by the survivor and her family throughout the legal proceedings.

He stressed that supporting survivors of sexual assault, particularly children, goes beyond securing convictions, noting that protecting their privacy, listening to their needs and providing appropriate support to aid their recovery are equally important.

Ibor also acknowledged the contributions of civil society organisations and development partners, including Safe Child Africa, ActionAid Nigeria and UNICEF Nigeria.

While welcoming the judgment, he maintained that the fight against sexual violence must extend beyond punishment to include survivor protection, access to appropriate care, support for affected families and effective measures to prevent further abuse.

He added that tackling sexual violence requires collective and sustained efforts, with the rights, dignity and best interests of survivors remaining paramount.