A 44-year-old Nigerian man, Moses Ukwai, was sentenced to life imprisonment on Thursday, March 5, 2026, by Justice S.K. Jobarteh of the High Court in Banjul after being convicted of raping a seven-year-old girl.
Ukwai faced two counts of rape under Section 3(1)(a) of the Sexual Offences Act, 2013, punishable under Section 4(1)(bb). The first count alleged that in April 2025, under coercive circumstances, he unlawfully engaged in a sexual act with the seven-year-old victim (name withheld) by penetrating her vagina with his penis. The second count involved similar allegations against an eight-year-old child during the same period.
Throughout the trial, Ukwai denied the charges. The prosecution presented witnesses and evidence to build its case. The court ultimately found him guilty on the first count involving the seven-year-old but discharged him on the second count.
In delivering the sentence, Justice Jobarteh imposed life imprisonment solely on the conviction for raping the seven-year-old, reflecting the gravity of the offense against a minor and the court’s firm stance on child sexual abuse under Gambian law.
The case underscores ongoing efforts in The Gambia to combat sexual violence against children, with the Sexual Offences Act providing severe penalties—including life imprisonment—for such crimes, particularly when victims are underage and unable to consent.
Child rights advocates welcomed the verdict as a deterrent, though concerns persist about the prevalence of such incidents and the need for stronger community protection measures. The victim’s identity remains protected in line with legal safeguards for minors in sexual offense cases.
Ukwai, a Nigerian national residing in The Gambia, is now beginning to serve his life term following the High Court’s decision.
