Gambia Court Sentences Nigerian Man to Life for Raping 7-Year-Old Girl

In a landmark ruling, Justice S.K. Jobarteh of the High Court in Banjul, Gambia, sentenced 44-year-old Nigerian national Moses Ukwai to life imprisonment on Thursday, March 5, 2026, for the rape of a seven-year-old girl.

Ukwai, who faced two counts of rape under Section 3(1)(a) and punishable under Section 4(1)(bb) of Gambia’s Sexual Offences Act 2013, was convicted on the first count related to the April 2025 incident involving the young victim. The court discharged him on the second count, which concerned an eight-year-old girl.

The sentencing underscores Gambia’s firm stance against child sexual violence, with the judge emphasizing the gravity of the offense during proceedings. Full witness testimonies and detailed sentencing remarks are slated for public release on Monday, March 9, 2026, as confirmed by court sources.

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Online searches across Gambian outlets like The Point Newspaper and Freedom Newspaper, as well as regional wires such as APAnews and Ecofin Agency, corroborate the conviction details. Reports highlight Ukwai’s arrest following complaints from the victims’ families in Banjul’s Kanifing area, where the assaults allegedly occurred. Prosecutors presented medical evidence and victim statements, leading to his guilty verdict after a trial that began late last year.

This case draws attention to cross-border crime involving West African nationals, amid rising concerns over child protection in the subregion. Gambian authorities have not disclosed Ukwai’s specific residency status or prior record, but the life term aligns with the Sexual Offences Act’s maximum penalty for such crimes against minors.

Human rights groups, including Amnesty International’s Gambia chapter, welcomed the verdict as a deterrent, while calling for faster justice in similar cases. No appeals have been filed as of press time.