An Akwa Ibom Magistrate Court in Uyo has ordered that Chief Samuel James Ekpek, the village head of Atiamkpat Ubium in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, be remanded at the Uyo Medium Custodial Centre. This decision will stand pending a court ruling scheduled for July 10, 2025.
The directive was issued by Magistrate Ukoima following a request from the prosecution team led by Barrister Aniekanabasi Johnson. Chief Ekpek is facing trial over allegations that he defiled an unnamed eight-year-old girl in April 2024.
The court also instructed that the case file be forwarded to the Department of Public Prosecution for a formal charge. The accused, who is over 70 years old, will remain in custody until the next court date.
In response to the case, the Federation of International Women Lawyers (FIDA) has intervened and relocated the victim to one of their facilities in Ikot Ekpene for treatment and rehabilitation.
