Appeal Court Hands Life Term to Man Convicted of Raping Minor

The Asaba Division of the Court of Appeal has overturned the decision of the Delta State High Court in Asaba, which had earlier acquitted Mr. Uchenna Ukpa of a rape charge. The appellate court found him guilty and sentenced him to life imprisonment for the sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl.

The conviction followed an appeal filed by the Delta State Government against the High Court’s ruling in Charge No. A/48C/2023. Ukpa had been arraigned on a one-count charge of rape under Section 3(1)(a) of the Delta State Violence Against Persons Law, 2020.

At trial, the prosecution presented five witnesses, while the defendant testified in his own defence. However, the trial court ruled on February 20, 2024, that the case was not proven beyond reasonable doubt and discharged the accused.

Dissatisfied with the outcome, the Ministry of Justice pursued an appeal. In its judgment delivered on December 17, 2025, the Court of Appeal held that the trial court failed to properly evaluate the evidence, allowed the appeal, set aside the acquittal, and imposed a life sentence on Ukpa.