An Akwa Ibom Magistrate Court in Uyo has ordered the remand of Chief Samuel James Ekpek, the village head of Atiamkpat Ubium in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, at the Uyo Medium Custodial Centre.
The directive follows a request by the prosecution team led by Barrister Aniekanabasi Johnson.
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Chief Ekpek is facing trial for allegedly defiling an eight-year-old girl in April 2024.
Magistrate Ukoima, who presided over the case, scheduled the next hearing for July 10, 2025, and directed that the case file be forwarded to the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) for appropriate charges to be filed.
Despite being over 70 years old, the court ruled that Chief Ekpek remain in custody until the adjourned date.
Meanwhile, the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) has taken up the case and relocated the victim to one of its safe houses in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area for care and rehabilitation.
