A 70-year-old village head from Atiamkpat Ubium, Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, has been ordered to spend 21 days in prison as he awaits a court ruling on charges of raping an 8-year-old girl.
The Akwa Ibom Magistrate Court in Uyo, presided over by Magistrate Ukoima, issued the remand order for Chief Samuel James Ekpek following a prosecution application led by Barr Aniekanabasi Johnson, representing Barr Margaret Ekere.
Ekpek is accused of defiling the minor in April 2024.
The court directed that the case file be sent to the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) for formal charges.
He will remain at the Uyo Medium Custodial Centre until the next hearing on July 10, 2025.
The Federation of International Women Advocates (FIDA) has intervened, relocating the victim to their facility in Ikot Ekpene LGA for medical care and rehabilitation.
