The Nation Newspaper

Tag: daughter

  • ‘My battle to get justice for my daughter’

    Ms Grace Ese caused a stir in Warri  when she accused the management of Delta Career College of attempting to cover up the alleged rape of her nine-year-old daughter . Six years after, the teacher has been found guilty and sentenced to 14 years in prison by an Effurun High Court. SHOLA O’NEIL met her. 

    Six years ago, a rape report that shook this city, but finally you have gotten justice or something close to it; how do you feel?

    These past years it is been hectic with the file vanishing twice. At the police station it vanished, I had to go to the Commissioner of When they invited us after five years that the case had been recalled, DPP said they still hadn’t got the original file. It took some time with prayer and all before they found the file. I would say it is God that fought the battle.

    Did you find out why the files kept on missing?

    I feel that someone must have bribed them to take the files away. The OC Legal at ‘A’ Division, told me to my face that if I didn’t give him N5,000 the file would not get to Asaba. I had no money because I was running from hospital to hospital taking care of my daughter. Where will I get the N5,000?

    Everybody withdrew from us because of the stigma associated with the case. I told them that I would get justice so that if anybody wants to attempt it (rape) it will be on record that someone who did it is in jail. I did it to protect her and to protect other children from men like that.

    Six years after, to the glory of God, the criminal has been convicted. The penalty is not as much as I would have liked. I am happy because nobody would have thought it would go to this extent. Everybody gave up on me; everybody was against me, some said the battle was too much and that I should just forget it.

    Where did you find the will to keep going?

    There are a few reasons: One, the girl is my only child, I pray to have others and for now I have not and I am not getting younger and I have to look after my child and get the best for her. I put in my best in whatever I have to do; I have done that for my daughter but now when I look at her each day, I do not get what I expected. Before the incident, she was the best child. Wherever we were, people look at her and say ‘what a child!’. Every reasonable parent wanted to be her friend. They wanted the child to be their children’s friend. After the incident, everything changed. I used to protect my child from evil children, but now I feel I need to protect people’s children from my child. She changed; her character and attitude changed. She has become withdrawn and all the things she used to like she no longer likes them. She became rebellious. Here was a child who read all the books of Psalms and came up with reasons why a child should be disciplined and obedient to parents. Sometimes she is so angry and broody; when you ask her to do anything, she would rather do the opposite of what you asked. The difference in my daughter after the incident is too much. That incident has scarred her, I hope not forever. One day I sat down and cried that these people have killed my child and killed me. For over two weeks, I walked on the streets crying nonstop when it happened.

    How did she tell you the rape happen?

    I couldn’t bear to hear the story from her, because of my condition. It was at the court when they were reading her statement that I found out the whole story.

    Why are you so certain that it was the teacher and not one of the students?

    No student would have the heart to do that inside that school without being found out. When I went to look for her, the first thing the gateman told me was that she had not come to the school today.  He said she entered but had not come to the gate. So, the students are ruled out completely. If you know where that office is you would believe what I am telling you. The office is at the extreme end.

    What was the reaction of the school’s management?

    After everything we went to hear from the school authority and we met the PRO. He invited us to his office; he made a statement that annoyed me. He said if I hadn’t gone to the police they would have given me money. I said, ‘To hell with your millions. I am not after your blood money’.

    If the school had wanted to defend its integrity the best way to do that would have been to push the offender out and fight the crime and show that the school does not condone such.

    At the time of the incident a statement credited to the school accused you of attempted blackmail and probably extortion…

    They also said it in the court. Whom did I ask for money? From the date the incident happened till date the proprietor, who is the principal of the school, has not spoken to me. Did I ask the teacher for money or was it the PRO that I asked for money? The teacher said the DPO asked for money and because they refused to give him that is why he took it up. So, who did I ask for money or was it the police I asked to tell them to give me money?

    Are you worried about the stigma?

    I am and that is why I have moved from many places. We were living in Warri, I moved and changed her school. It is like after sometime people would find out and I would be forced to change her school again. Right now we have found ourselves in another town. I have made all these sacrifices and I would continue to do it. I told my daughter, ‘if it is the will of God that I sacrifice my life for you, I will do it.’

    The school believed that the man is innocent and you insist that he did it; do you have doubt that an innocent man could be suffering?

    I am very sure that he did and the court says he did it. They had all the opportunity to prove his innocence; they had people, students and the woman that they could call to confirm or deny my daughter’s story; they refused to do it.

  • R. Kelly avoids question over daughter’s transgender

    R. KELLY avoided a question about his daughter’s recent decision to ‘come out’ as transgender when asked about the news during an interview.

    Kelly’s youngest daughter Jaya, 13, made the announcement on Facebook.com earlier this month, revealing she is now going by the name Jay Kelly after identifying as a male since the age of six.

    The singer was asked directly about his child’s decision by a DJ at a radio station in Chicago, Illinois but failed to give a straight answer.

    When the WGCI-FM journalist broached the subject, he replied, “You don’t really wanna open it (the talk) up by saying my daughter is becoming my son, because if that were true… don’t even give the blogs that kind of credit. You know what I’m saying? Real talk.

    “As far as that’s concerned, always believe what you see… with your own eyes that is. Always believe what you see. That’s the best way to go about this business. I’ve heard a lot of things about a lot of people, and it was never true.”

    Kelly has two other children with his ex-wife Andrea.

  • Madonna’s daughter graduates from high school

    LOURDE Leons, Madonna’s daughter graduated from high school on June 25.    The 17-year-old designer looked all grown up in a chic yellow sundress as she arrived for her big day at Lincoln Center in New York City. The teen then donned a white cap and gown as she received her diploma from Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in New York City

    Despite feeling “slightly saddened” as she looked back on her four years in high school, Madge’s daughter’s education isn’t done she is going to college.

    Lourdes, who goes by Lola, has enrolled as a freshman at the University of Michigan, Madonna’s alma mater. The “Like a Prayer” singer’s daughter, with ex Carlos Leon, registered in the university’s directory as a student in the undergraduate music, theatre, and dance program, in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in fine arts in musical theatre.

  • Mother remanded for setting daughter ablaze

    A 37-year-old woman, Bose Oluwole, was on Wednesday remanded in prison custody by an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly setting her nine- year-old daughter ablaze.

    The Magistrate, Mrs O. Oshin, ordered that Oluwole should be remanded in prison custody until the next adjourned date.

    “I hereby order that the defendant be remanded in prison custody till June 2,” she said.

    Oluwole, a trader, is charged with assault, occasioning harm and attempted murder.

    The Prosecutor, Insp. Emmanuel Nwankpuma, told the court that the accused committed the offences on May 11 at her residence at Ijebu-Ode Road, Odomola in Epe, near Lagos.

    He said the accused unlawfully assaulted her nine-year-old daughter (name withheld) by pouring kerosene on her body and setting her alight with matches.

    Nwankpuma said the accused, who attends a ‘white garment’ church, had just returned home from a night vigil on the morning of the assault.

    He said the accused in her statement to the police, claimed she received a revelation during the vigil that her daughter was possessed by demonic spirits.

    He said the accused told the police that the only way to deliver her daughter from evil spirit was to inflict injuries on her through the use of fire.

    The prosecutor said the daughter was saved by the landlord who heard her cries and alerted the police.

    He said the victim was currently in hospital receiving treatment for the injuries she sustained.

    Nwankpuma said the offences contravened Sections 171 and 228 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 228 recommends a sentence of life imprisonment for anyone convicted of attempted murder.

    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge. (NAN)

  • Birdman buys16- year-old daughter G-wagon

    Rapper and music producer, Birdman, on Tuesday, presented his 16-year-old daughter, Bria Williams, a 2014 G-Wagon as her birthday present.

    Birdman, who is the co-founder of Cash Money Records, has been in limelight for decades and has done a lot of songs and collaboration albums with lil Wayne.

    Birdman also made his name by contributing to the making of YMCMB (Young Money Cash Money Billionaires).

  • Pro- Chancellor’s daughter weds

    Pro- Chancellor’s daughter weds

    When Chief Ramon Adedoyin, the President of Oduduwa University, Ile Ife, Osun State; Our Savior’s University, United States of America and The Polytechnic, Ife, Osun State, celebrated his birthday early in the year, many wondered why he did not invite many of his friends to The Source, as Ile Ife is fondly called. The answer to the question will be answered this morning as the historical town witnessed a huge influx of people as the educationist gives out his daughter’s hand in marriage.

    Adedoyin is, no doubt, in cloud nine at the moment. While he derives a lot of joy from education and philanthropy, his main source of joy today would be neither of these but the marriage of his daughter billed to hold at the Hilton Hotel, Ile-Ife. The event actually began yesterday with an engagement ceremony at his magnificent mansion at Eleyele part of Ife.

    “I will appreciate your presence as it will add a lot of glamour to the occasion,” Adedoyin wrote in the invitation he sent out to would-be guests.

  • My daughter asks about ‘Daddy’ but I don’t know what to tell her – Widow of slain governorship candidate

    My daughter asks about ‘Daddy’ but I don’t know what to tell her – Widow of slain governorship candidate

    For two years, the family of the late candidate of Citizens Peoples Party (CPP) in the 2011 governorship election in Delta State, Chief Ogbe Onokpite, engaged the Nigeria Police in a legal battle over the death of the politician. During the period, several rounds of autopsy were conducted on Onokpite’s body to determine the cause of his death.

    But all that seemed to have come to an end on December 28 last year as Onokpite’s body was finally laid to rest at his Ugolo-Okpe native town in Delta State. The late Onokpite was allegedly shot by some policemen at Beeland International Hotel, along Orhuwhorun Road, Udu Local Government Area, Delta State on November 26, 2011. He was accused by the police of engaging in gun-running, kidnapping and armed robbery. But the family has refuted the allegations, insisting that there was more to the death of the politician than the police would want the public to believe.

    At the time Onokpite was allegedly shot, his wife, Helen, was said to be away in Canada to be delivered of a baby. The grief-stricken widow is still sad that her husband could not live to see his baby and the baby would grow up not to know her father.

    Still miffed that her late husband was branded a criminal, she claimed that the man she married was an activist and a God-fearing man. She also described the late Onokpite as a caring husband and father “who the enemies did not allow to play a fatherly role in the life of her daughter as he had done in the lives of many down-trodden people in Delta State through his foundation, the Ogbe Forum.

    “But to God be the glory for the gift of life, which no man has the right to take. I seek justice for my husband’s death. I wish to use this medium to appeal to President Goodluck Jonathan, Her Excellency, Dame Patience Jonathan, the Senate President, the Chairman Human Rights Committee of the National Assembly, the Inspector General of Police and all human rights commissions to help bring my husband’s killers to justice.

    “I have been turned into a widow at an early age and left to look after a baby of three years. The quest for justice continues. The Lord is our strength.”

    In a tribute to her husband, Helen wrote: “Ogbe, you were my everything. It’s so unfortunate that they made me a widow at a young age, thoughtless that death has no sacred cows. The death knell toils for everyone: the very young and old, male and female, affluent and the poor, the good and the wicked, the infirm and the weakest of all.

    “They denied our little angel, Giggo, the opportunity of meeting you, hugging you or playing with you. A day came and Giggo asked me, ‘Mummy, where is Daddy?’ I could not give her a reply. That was the most tearful day since they took you away from me. I cried all day.

    “My Ogbe, I will mourn your unlawful killing forever. You were actually dragged into death from this wicked world. My husband, my best friend, my soul-mate, my hero and my everything, I am proud of you.

    “To live in the hearts of those you love is not death. You have transmitted from mortality to immortality. You are not dead but asleep in the Lord. Sleep on, my darling, in peace.”

    The deceased’s widow was said to have spoken with her late husband from Canada for about 15 minutes, two hours before he was killed. According to Helen, Onokpite was full of life and was so excited about his two-year-old daughter, Omovigho, who was billed to start school the following Monday.

    She recalled that Omovigho, who was with her in Canada at the time of the incident, was always excited to see her father’s picture and the family had planned to come to Nigeria on December 10 last year.

    The widow said her husband was a man of the people who founded some NGOs to cater for his kinsmen, especially the youth. She said her late husband would forever remain alive in her mind, even as she charged the Nigerian government to do the right thing by bringing her husband’s killers to book.

    Speaking at the burial, the officiating minister, Apostle Love Ededuwa, said: “It was the truth and his opposition to oppression that led to the death of Chief Ogbe Onokpite. It is better to die as a hero of truth than to die as a deceiver and corrupt person.”

    Family members are also appealing to the government to bring Onokpite’s killers to book. They regret that rather than prosecute the suspects, the powers that be were trying to shield the culprits. Onokpite’s brother, Diemo, said he was disappointed with the attitude of the authorities to the issue.

    Diemo said: “For more than two years that we have lost Chief Ogbe Onokpite, we are still waiting to get justice. It is common knowledge that he was assassinated. We have been waiting to get justice till date but no arrest has been made. We are still calling on Mr. President and the Inspector General of Police to look into the murder case.”

    Pained that his brother’s killers were still roaming free, Diemo said he would not mind going to the International Court of Justice if he had to do so to get justice in the matter.

    “There are laws in this country and there are international laws. If we don’t get justice on this murder case, we will be forced to go to the World Court and let the world know that some people in this country can kill and get away with it. We are asking for the policemen who have been implicated in the case to be prosecuted. It is a thing of surprise that the policemen alleged to have killed Onokpite were granted bail,” he lamented.

    In a statement, one of the solicitors to the family, Odiana Eriata of Eriata and Partners, said: “There is a strong conviction that the late Chief Ogbe Onokpite had no primary issues with any law enforcement agent. Because before he contested the governorship election on the platform of Citizens Peoples Party, requirements of the law as to his eligibility were determined by the

    appropriate authorities saddled with the obligations of screening to determine whether or not he was an eligible aspirant, qualified to contest an election as CPP

    governorship candidate.

    “The late Chief Ogbe Onokpite was killed on Saturday November 26, 2011. He was besieged, captured and shot in both legs at Beeland Hotel, Orhuwhorun Road, Udu Local Government Area of Delta State, and taken to Warri Police Area Command, where he was humiliated and summarily executed unlawfully.”

    He added: “On Sunday 27th November, 2011, at about 7:30 am, a former Commissioner of Police, Delta State came to Warri and addressed a press conference and alleged that a petty criminal, a gun runner and an armed robber was killed by policemen in a gun battle with the police. To give effect to his assertions, he paraded one Mr. Okporokoro with two AK47 assault rifles and with 60 live ammunition.

    “The police story was that Mr. Okporokoro was accosted at a police check point in a Honda car with registration number AM 528 JRT belonging to Chief Ogbe Onokpite, transporting two AK47 assault rifles and 60 live ammunition. The police further stated that Mr. Okporokoro confessed to the alleged crime and that he was sent by Chief Onokpite to deliver the arms and ammunition to one Mr. Agbara, who resides in Agaga community in Uvwie LGA.

    “The police further stated that Mr. Okporokoro was asked by the police to direct them to where Chief Ogbe Onokpite was staying (Beeland Hotels). The police alleged that on their arrival at Beeland Hotels, Mr. Malik Okporokoro pointed at Chief Onokpite and that in an attempt by the police to arrest Chief Onokpite, he (Onokpite) fired at the police with a locally-made gun.

    “The police said in fear of imminent danger and in self-defence, they fired at Chief Ogbe Onokpite to disarm him, and that the police were taking him to Warri General Hospital when he died on the way.”

    Eriata, however, faulted police claims, saying the motive for the murder of Onokpite, according to investigations, was undemocratic and uncivilised. He wondered why the policemen involved would allow themselves to be used as tools.

    In her own tribute, a former Commissioner for Education in Delta State, Dr. Mrs. Veronica Ugbuagu, described the late Onokpite as a dogged fighter for any cause he believed in and a hater of oppression.

    She said: “I remember I told him about a fearful dream I had concerning him and I said it was not a good dream. I can go on recalling my dreams. I prayed deeply for him throughout the 2011 election period. I was shocked beyond words when the news of his death reached me.”

    In a terse reaction to the latest lamentation from Onokpite’s family, the Delta State Command’s image-maker, Mr. Charles Muka, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said “an alleged accomplice of Onokpite Ogbe”, who was arrested with the late politician, had been charged to court.

    He added: “I’m not aware that the matter has been withdrawn from the courts.”

  • To Sisi Mama’s daughter

    To Sisi Mama’s daughter

    DEaR ma,

    Of all the states in Nigeria, no one rivals Rivers, in recent times, in terms of drama and tragedy. In Port Harcourt, we have seen a routine wave of tragedy. The police, which ought to maintain order has obviously taken sides and yet we are told every day that the police have been doing nothing but playing the role expected of them.

    The source of the tragedy in Rivers reminds one of the Biblical hand of Jacob and voice of Esau; yet we are told the Presidency has nothing to do with the theatre of the absurd.

    The president, we are told, is too busy to have time for such local matter. He is a national and international figure rolled into one, with commitment to the Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS), African Union (AU) and the United Nations.

    Before I go further ma, let me offer an unreserved apology for twisting your mother’s nickname. We all know her nickname was Mama Sisi, but turning it around has a poetic ring to it that I just could not resist.

    I also need to ask for your forgiveness in advance for some of the points I am going to make in this letter or have already made in the prologue, which may not go down well with you as the Mother of the Nation. For me, I just believe I must point your attention to these issues, may be you can learn one or two things from them before it is too late.

    Port Harcourt, the capital city of your home state, faces a challenge of inadequate water supply. Your son and governor of the state, Rotimi as you call him, and his cabinet thought of a way out and a development bank loan was agreed on to tackle the challenge. But surprisingly, while the bank is ready to release the fund, people close to your husband, President Goodluck Jonathan, seem to be stalling the release of the fund. Some people have also mentioned you as a probably reason while Rivers’ loan for the water project is being withheld. I have no evidence to support this. What is clear to all is that the loan is being stalled. Your husband’s once-upon-a-time godfather, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has described the involvement of the presidency in the non-release of the loan as unpresidential. Even though I am not a fan of his, I have decided to separate the message from the messanger and I cannot but agree with him that whatever the animosity between the First Family and Amaechi, the interest of the people of Rivers, especially those who reside in Port Harcourt, must come first. Like he said, Amaechi will not be governor forever. By 2015, his era as governor must come to an end. There is no way he can get a third term.

    Madam, as a mother, it is time you used the fact that you have your husband’s ears to clear the logjam on the way of the release of this fund. If you fail to do this, not a few will believe this is just an extension of the perceived animosity between you and your son, Rotimi.

    Forget what Amaechi did to you when Sisi Mama (sorry Mama Sisi) died. We all know he only came to greet you in Port Harcourt and never came to Abuja like many of his colleagues did, a development you interpret to mean he never came to condole with you. Ma, this is also the time to forget other things he must have done to wrong your Majesty. Just see the whole situation as though he is being worried by ‘youthfulness’!

    Ma, I think I should educate you a bit on the water scarcity in Port Harcourt so that you will understand that this is no time to allow pecuniary interest stall efforts to bring succour to the people.

    The Rivers State government says the rehabilitation and expansion of existing water facilities in Port Harcourt city and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas will cost $900 million (about N5,732billion).

    Development partners, such as the World Bank and African Development Bank (AfDB), agree with this projection and thus offer their support for the project.

    The project, with a lifespan of 40 years, is to ensure sustainable water supply for residents of the state capital.

    A pilot scheme serving more than 3,000 households, I understand, has started at Elekahia, Presidential Housing Estate and Eagle Island.

    Ma, the project is not going to be handled by Amaechi. The development partners are handling it and this will ensure it is not abandoned after 2015. They will also handle the Port Harcourt Water Corporation. All these cannot be done without the Federal Government giving the development partners the go-ahead. This is where you come in. Even though you are married to a Bayelsa man, Rivers remains your home.

    For me, politics should have a limit. It should not be played at the expense of the people’s welfare. Your husband got the office by God’s grace. That fact, I believe, should always guide whatever action both of you take while occupying the office of President and First Lady. Being in power does not necessarily mean flexing muscle.

    Power is transient. Since 1960, when Nigeria gained independence, we have had many a leader. But, it was not until the time of the late Maryam Babangida that the wife of the Head of State became more than just another wife of the leader. After the late Mrs Babangida, we had another Mariam, who was the wife of the late Gen. Sani Abacha. The wife of Gen. AbdulSalami Abubakar, Fati, was too busy on the Bench to have time to play the First Lady. After her came the amazing Stella Obasanjo, whose presence was noticed by all and sundry. Death took her away in the most unfortunate manner and there was a vaccuum.When the late Umaru Yar’Adua, who was your husband’s boss, came in, the omnipresent Turai was the woman of the moment. Death took away Yar’Adua and you came in and you are ubiquitous.

    Like the rest ma, you too will go. The highest you can spend in that position is about ten years, that is assuming your husband gets a second term. He used about two years left by the late Yar’Adua. He is serving the third of his first four-year term and is entitled to another four years.

    I believe what should be paramount on your mind is leaving a legacy of service and where is the best place to start than Rivers, where your home town, Okrika, is an integral part of. I dare say I have not seen much of substance in your contributions to Rivers. I stand to be corrected. By age, you are not old enough to be Amaechi’s mother, but on account of your position as the Mother of the Nation, he is your son. No matter your misgivings about him, nothing should be above the interest of the people. Get your husband to okay the loan for the water project and other things that might have been stalled by the ill-feelings towards Amaechi, who will leave office in 2015. The water project will serve the people for a long time to come and they will always remember your husband.

    But, if the project dies, the people will also never forget that their daughter sits idle while the approval needed is not given. I doubt if they will forgive you. The time to act is now.

     

    Bye for now, ma.

  • Efe Ambrose dedicates goal to new daughter

    Efe Ambrose dedicates goal to new daughter

    Nigeria international Efe Ambrose celebrated the birth of his daughter in style by scoring his first goal of the season as champions of Scotland Glasgow Celtic defeated Motherwell 5 – 0 at Fir Park on Friday.

    The 25-year-old was on the score-sheet in the 54th minute, his first goal in the championship since February.

    “I dedicate this goal to my new born child, given birth to shortly before the game. I was motivated to go forward in search of a goal to dedicate to her. I also want to thank my wife. She is the inspiration behind the rise in my career,” Efe Ambrose told allnigeriasoccer.com.

    Ambrose’ effort; a thumping header off a cross from the left was his first league goal of the season. He celebrated it in style with three sommersaults that left his teammates in stitches. The win cements Celtic’s place at the top of the table with 36 points from 14 games.

    Ambrose has played a crucial role in Celtic’s fine domestic run this season as he has played all 14 league games of Celtic this season.

     

  • Man sleeps with daughter, case adjourned till August 13

    Three prosecution witnesses on Thursday testified before Magistrate Ikwuemosi Osayande on the criminal case preferred against one Festus Joseph, who allegedly had carnal knowledge of his daughter and also gave false information to the Police in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.

    In the criminal case with charge No MAU/1C/2013A, the accused person (Festus Joseph) is standing trial for an offence punishable under Section 125 A (A) (b) and 357 of the Criminal Code.

    Testifying in the case, the 6th prosecution witness, Mr. Daniel Taiye Erbohboi, a social welfare officer in the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Auchi, after being led in evidence by Police Corporal Joshua Ogbaneme told the court how PW4 (Destiny Joseph) lodged complaint of sexual harassment against the accused, who was her father.

    The PW6 told the court that at the welfare office in Benin City, PW4, who was in a stable state of mind,  narrated how she was sexual harassed by the accused over time and that it was when she could no longer bear the unlawful sexual acts that she now reported the matter to the welfare office.

    Under cross examination by P.T Braimah Esq., counsel to the accused, Mr. Erbohboi told the court that he referred the complains of Destiny Joseph (PW4) from the Auchi Welfare Office to Benin City for onward assistance, since he was on vacation.