Father sentenced to 24 years for abusing his two daughters

A State High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has found Okon Jimmy Ama guilty of incest, assault causing harm, and sexual abuse of his two underage daughters. Justice Winifred Effiong announced the verdict on Thursday, concluding a case that spanned over a decade.

Ama, a driver and mechanic from Ikot Ekop Village in the Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, was charged under the Akwa Ibom State Child Rights Law for offenses committed in 2015. The allegations involved his daughters, who were 13 and 16 years old at the time.

During the trial, prosecution lawyer Ofonime Idio informed the court that the defendant repeatedly abused the minors. The court also heard details of an assault on one of the girls, which was included in the charges against him.

In their closing arguments, the prosecution asserted that the evidence clearly demonstrated the defendant’s offenses under the law. They argued that testimonies and material evidence proved his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt and requested a conviction.

In her ruling, Justice Effiong stated that the prosecution had met the burden of proof required in criminal cases. She concluded that the evidence confirmed the key elements of incest, assault causing harm, and sexual abuse, resulting in a total prison sentence of 24 years.