Akwa Ibom Pastor Sentenced to 49 Years for Incest

On [date not specified], the Akwa Ibom State High Court in Uyo, presided over by Justice Bassei Nkanang, sentenced Apostle William Okon Bassei to 49 years in prison for the crime of impregnating his 16-year-old daughter. The court established that Bassei committed the crime at different times while living with his wife outside church premises in Eket Local Government Area.

Investigations revealed that the daughter’s mother informed authorities after discovering her daughter was pregnant. The mother had taken the daughter to terminate the pregnancy, but Bassei continued to have sexual relations with her, resulting in a second pregnancy.

The court found the allegations of rape and incest proven beyond a reasonable doubt, leading to Bassei's conviction under sections 367 and 242(1) of the Criminal Code Cap 38 Vol. 2 Laws of Akwa Ibom State Nigeria 2000.