A 50-year-old businessman, Mr Nsikak Akpan, has allegedly defiled his tenant’s one year and 7 months old baby in Cross River State.
CONVERSEER gathered that Akpan who is into oil palm business, allegedly committed the act on Tuesday, 10th September 2024, at his residence in Betem Community in Biase Local Government of the State.
According to Reverend ThankGod Arong, Vice President of Betem Youth Council and Member of Betem Traditional Rulers Council, Akpan, who is the landlord to the mother of the baby, Miss Serah Ohameso, defiled the toddler while she was playing with one of his children who is seven years old in his apartment.
Rev. Arong said the toddler was seriously bleeding at a Cottage Hospital in Akpet Central, Biase Local Government Headquarters, where she is being taken care of at the moment.
According to Rev. Arong, “Mr Nsikak Akpan is an oil palm dealer and a landlord in Betem; the incident happened at about 2 pm on Tuesday at his residence where he lives with his wife and children, although he is not an indigene, he has lived for so long with us.
“From what we gathered, the child went to play with Mr Nsikak’s 7-year-old-son, when the suspect took advantage of the toddler, defiling her and ej@culating on her body.
“When he was caught, he was still breathing heavily and sweating from the devilish act. He wanted to bribe the youths, as he asked them to name their price – that he was willing to pay them any amount to bury the matter.
“But, the courageous youths did not accept his offer. Instead, they handed him over to the DPO of Biase Divisional Police Station.”
Confirming the arrest of the suspect, SP Irene Ugbo, police spokesperson in Cross River, said Mr Nsikak Akpan was in their custody and would be brought to the Police Command Headquarters in Calabar as soon as possible.
Ugbo said, “I have made an enquiry; he has been arrested and is in our custody in Biase; he will be transferred to Calabar as soon as possible.”
CONVERSEER reports that this 2024, Basic Rights Counsel Initiative (BRCI), a nongovernmental organisation (NGO) saddled with the responsibility of the protection of children’s rights, has secured the conviction of five men for rape cases in the state.