A Prophet in Akwa Ibom State, Anwana Peter Essien, has been sentenced to twenty-one years in prison for raping his ten year-old step daughter.
The thirty-seven year-old prophet, who is a native of Afaha Ise in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, reportedly raped the JSS One student on August 9, 2019, when her mother brought her and her younger sister for holiday with their stepfather at Itiam Street, Uyo.
The convict in his evidence before an Akwa Ibom State High Court that sat in Okoita, Ibiono Ibom local government area confessed that he was pushed by demons on the night of the incident to forcefully remove the clothes of his step daughter and had unlawful carnal knowledge of her.
Justice Okon Okon who presided over the case said the parameters established for the proof of rape, have all been satisfied by the evidence of the prosecution witnesses, including the victim and the medical doctor who examined her, fortified by the confessional statement voluntarily made by the accused person himself.
The court further held that it is most despicable and depressing that the supposed man of God overpowered and defiled an innocent child of about ten years who is incidentally, his own step daughter.
The court found Essien guilty as charged and accordingly sentenced him to 21 years imprisonment with effect from when the convict was taken into custody in the Custodial Centre, Uyo.
