The Nation Newspaper

Tag: rape

  • Carpenter rapes 15 year old orphan in Enugu

    Carpenter rapes 15 year old orphan in Enugu

    A carpenter has been by the police in Enugu for allegedly raping a 15 year old SS1 pupil ‎said to be an orphan.

    It was gathered that the suspect identified as Casmir Eze from Umugoji Orba in Udenu local Government Area of Enugu had on Sunday at about 2am gained entrance to the compound of the victim identified as Marcillus Ogechi by scaling through the fence and thereafter forced the victim to open the door.

    He threatened her to open the door or risk being killed should she fail.

    It was further gathered when the victim who was warned not to shout or alert neighbours opened the door, the suspect who was said to be covering his face with scarf went into the room and allegedly pointed a gun at the victim and ordered her to switch off the lantern in the room and thereafter forcefully pounced on the victim and had carnal knowledge of her.

    Angered by this, and unknown that he was identified by the victim, the victim reported to the relations who assisted her to report to the police.

    The police immediately swung into action that led to the arrest of the suspect who is now helping the police in their investigations.

    According to the police spokesman, Ebere Amaraizu the suspect confessed committing the crime but maintained that it was the devil that pushed him into the act.

    According to him, “I don’t know what came over me although, I have been targeting how to get the girl since and no way hence I had to come through this way.‎”

     

  • ‘SCORNED’ STANDS UP FOR RAPE VICTIMS

    AS girls and women continue to be the victims of rape, movie producers Christiana Martins and Tokunbo Ahmed have bravely come out to address the seeming silence by the victims in a new movie titled ‘Scorned.’

    According to co-producer and director of ‘Scorned’, Tokunbo Ahmed, the move addressed the prolonged and repeated silence of the victims of rape.

    “There’s been a lot of stories recently on rape and most of them really got to me because honestly it could have happened to anybody. Some that I am personally aware of the victims, and I see the rapists walking about and living like they did nothing wrong,” she said.

    “I hope that with this movie rape victims can speak up more even though they feel society might look down on them.”

    “Scorned” is the story of a rape victim who took her time to plan her revenge against a rapist who completely forgot about the damage he had done to a young innocent girl. It showcases the psychological damage she went through and the effects the rape still has on her as an adult. And how silence out of fear and shame can either make you or break you.

    The movie which is due to hit cinemas any moment from now stars Daniel K. Daniel, Christiana Martin, Okey Uzoeshi, Chelsea Eze, Chigul and Funny Bone among others.

    Speaking on what Nigerians should expect from the movie as it hits the cinemas soon, Christiana Martins said: “Aside from having a twisted story line, Scorned is a great movie with amazing talents in it. It is not your typical movie and the suspense is going to keep everyone on their toes. Each character gave it their all; from the laughter to the tears. You don’t want to miss this one when it comes out in cinema.”

  • Court remands pastor for alleged rape of friend’s daughter

    Court remands pastor for alleged rape of friend’s daughter

    An Iyaganku Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting in Ibadan has remanded a 62-year-old pastor, Isaiah Akinojo, in prison custody for alleged raping his friends daughter.

    The Chief Magistrate, Alhaja Modinat Akanni, remanded the accused at Agodi prison pending the advice of the Directorate of Public Prosecution.

    The plea of the accused, arraigned on a one-count charge of having unlawful carnal knowledge of a minor, was not taken.

    Akinojo, according to the charge, is a pastor at Light of life Ministry International Church, Egbeda, Ibadan.

    The Prosecutor, Insp. Sikiru Ibrahim, said the offence was committed on May 10 at about 7 p.m. at church premises.

    Ibrahim said “the offence took place inside the church while Akinojo sent the girl’s junior brother on errand to go and buy something.”

    He said that the victim usually return to the church every day after school before their father would take them home in the evening.

    Ibrahim said the offence contravened Section 218 of the Criminal Code Cap. 38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State 2000.

    The case was adjourned till July 15, for mention.

     

  • Rape victims: Stakeholders seek support for centre

    Rape victims: Stakeholders seek support for centre

    Senator Florence Ita-Giwa has pledged her support for Mirabel Centre, Lagos a non-government organisation (NGO) providing free medical and psychosocial services for sexual assault and rape victims in Lagos.

    Ita-Giwa, who revealed this following the expiration of the centre’s three-year sponsorship deal with the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID) in March this year, called on the government and individuals to help the centre because of the important roles it plays in the lives of rape victims.

    Senator Ita-Giwa, a guest at an event tagged “Magenta and Black, Art and Fashion for Charity,” which aimed at raising funds through public support and auction of art works donated by friends and partners of the Mirabel Centre in Lagos, nearly betrayed her emotion during a presentation by the founder of the centre, Mrs. Itoro Eze-Anaba on some of the experiences of rape victims, particularly the story of 14-year-old girl who was raped severally by her father but was saved and treated free at Mirabel Centre.

    She said such a man should have his organ cut off, because “that child has been killed as far as I am concerned.” She expressed her support for the centre, even as she urged the government and Nigerians to support the initiative in order to keep it alive.

    “The Mirabel Centre is a wonderful idea. The management should continue with the laudable initiative; they have my support. I do hope the government will come in and give their support,” Senator Ita-Giwa said.

    According to Mrs. Eze-Anaba, the Mirabel Centre, which is located at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), has provided free medical and psychosocial services for over 1,300 clients in the last three years.

    ”The funding for Mirabel Centre by DFID came to an end in March this year. We appreciate DFID’s support for the past three years. The Magenta and Black Art, Fashion event was born out of necessity and the passion of some friends of the centre  who felt compelled to do all they could to ensure the continued survival of the centre. We also felt that it was time that we Nigerians took personal responsibility for the protection of our sons and daughters, sisters and mothers from the scourge of sexual abuse,” Mrs. Eze-Anaba said.

    Mrs. Ayotola Jagun, a supporter of the Mirabel Centre said she was surprised that despite the huge responsibilities and benefits of the centre to the society, it only got the attention of foreign organisation without any government’s assistance.

    Other friends of Mirabel such as Victor Ehikhamenor, Gbolahan Ayoola, Jumoke Sanwo, Olumide Oresegun, Malaika Najem, Deola Ade Ojo and Lisa Folawiyo, among others, donated their works which were auctioned to support the centre.

    Mother of a victim, Mrs. Anyanwu narrated how a 40-year-old man came into her house to rape her daughter.  She thanked Mirabel Centre for the free treatment provided to save the girl’s life. She urged the government and Nigerians to support the organisation, saying “Mirabel must not die.”

  • Father rapes own two-year-old daughter in Kaduna

    Father rapes own two-year-old daughter in Kaduna

    A biological father, Daniel Joseph, 31-years have been handed over to the Kaduna Police Command for raping own two years old daughter name withheld.

    The incidence was said to have occurred in Gonin-Gora, Chikun local government area of the state and leading to the daughter discharging.

    Joseph, a Carpenter was said to have been exposed by his Neighbours who reported the case to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development after which he was handed over to the police command (CID).

    It was also gathered that mother of the girl is late and giving room for the father to allegedly have carnal knowledge of his daughter.

    Upon interrogation, the suspect was said to have denied it but people in the area testified that he is fond of the ungodly act.

    It was however gathered that a Doctor who examined the little girl confirmed penetration & serious infection.

    Efforts to reach the Kaduna Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Zubairu Abubakar for formal confirmation of the development proved abortive as he was not picking his calls.

    Earlier, the Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Rabi Abdulsalam expressed shock and condemned the act in totality.

    She however directed that the little girl be given proper medical treatment.

    Meanwhile, the Nigeria Association of Women Journalist, NAWOJ through it state Chairperson, Juliet Nwogu Oyoyo also condemned the act and disclosed it plan to organize a rally to kick against rape and molestation of the women folks.

     

  • Rape victims: Stakeholders seek support for centre

    Rape victims: Stakeholders seek support for centre

    Senator Florence Ita-Giwa has pledged her support for Mirabel Centre, Lagos a non-government organisation (NGO) providing free medical and psychosocial services for sexual assault and rape victims in Lagos.

    Ita-Giwa, who revealed this following the expiration of the centre’s three-year sponsorship deal with the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID) in March this year, called on the government and individuals to help the centre because of the important roles it plays in the lives of rape victims.

    Senator Ita-Giwa, a guest at an event tagged “Magenta and Black, Art and Fashion for Charity,” which aimed at raising funds through public support and auction of art works donated by friends and partners of the Mirabel Centre in Lagos, nearly betrayed her emotion during a presentation by the founder of the centre, Mrs. Itoro Eze-Anaba on some of the experiences of rape victims, particularly the story of 14-year-old girl who was raped severally by her father but was saved and treated free at Mirabel Centre.

    She said such a man should have his organ cut off, because “that child has been killed as far as I am concerned.” She expressed her support for the centre, even as she urged the government and Nigerians to support the initiative in order to keep it alive.

    “The Mirabel Centre is a wonderful idea. The management should continue with the laudable initiative; they have my support. I do hope the government will come in and give their support,” Senator Ita-Giwa said.

    According to Mrs. Eze-Anaba, the Mirabel Centre, which is located at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), has provided free medical and psychosocial services for over 1,300 clients in the last three years.

    ”The funding for Mirabel Centre by DFID came to an end in March this year. We appreciate DFID’s support for the past three years. The Magenta and Black Art, Fashion event was born out of necessity and the passion of some friends of the centre  who felt compelled to do all they could to ensure the continued survival of the centre. We also felt that it was time that we Nigerians took personal responsibility for the protection of our sons and daughters, sisters and mothers from the scourge of sexual abuse,” Mrs. Eze-Anaba said.

    Mrs. Ayotola Jagun, a supporter of the Mirabel Centre said she was surprised that despite the huge responsibilities and benefits of the centre to the society, it only got the attention of foreign organisation without any government’s assistance.

    Other friends of Mirabel such as Victor Ehikhamenor, Gbolahan Ayoola, Jumoke Sanwo, Olumide Oresegun, Malaika Najem, Deola Ade Ojo and Lisa Folawiyo, among others, donated their works which were auctioned to support the centre.

    Mother of a victim, Mrs. Anyanwu narrated how a 40-year-old man came into her house to rape her daughter.  She thanked Mirabel Centre for the free treatment provided to save the girl’s life. She urged the government and Nigerians to support the organisation, saying “Mirabel must not die.”

  • ‘Herdsmen kill our men, rape our women’

    ‘Herdsmen kill our men, rape our women’

    Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi wept yesterday during his visit to Ukpabi Nimbo in Uzouwani Local Government Area where suspected herdsmen on Monday killed no fewer than 48 people and destroyed property worth millions of naira. The police said six people died.

    The governor could not hold back tears when he saw a freshly discovered body of a victim of the killings.

    The community painted a gory picture of the activities of the herdsmen. Its leader said: “We alerted that they were coming. They came, killed our people and raped our women.”

    Ugwuanyi, who also visited the injured in the hospitals, declared a two-day fast and prayers for God’s intervention to end the herdsmen’s menace.

    The body was that of Ugwu Ogbu, believed to be a teacher from Enugu Ezike in Igboeze North council. He was posted to the Nimbo community. It was recovered in the morning by the villagers.

    Ugwuanyi donated N5 million as immediate relief to the area where economic activities were totally shut down.

    Members of the community have deserted the area. Pupils have abandoned the ongoing West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASCE).

    Most of those who sustained life-threatening injuries are receiving treatments at various hospitals, including the Royal Cross Hospital, Bishop Shanahan and Nsukka District hospitals.

    One of the injured, a young man who passed out of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme this month, has been referred to the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu. Two others were referred to Park Lane hospital Enugu.

    The governor was at the Ukpabi Nibo community and the three hospitals. With him were Senator Chuka Utazi( Enugu North), the GOC, 82 Division, Major General Ibrahim Attahiru, Police Commissioner Nwodibo Ekechukwu  and other security chiefs.  He promised to pick the hospital bills of the injured.

    “We are going to seek for God’s intervention in this matter. It is my belief that this too will pass away. The entire people of Enugu State are with you in this moment of grief,” Ugwuanyi told the people.

    The governor explained that upon receipt of the report that there were plans to attack the community by the herders said to be from Nasarawa State, an emergency Security Council meeting was summoned on Sunday and “far reaching decisions” were taken to ensure that lives and property were protected.

    “A combined team of police, soldiers, Civil Defence operatives was despatched to the community, but on Monday, we heard that they still carried out the threat, resulting in the situation we are facing. No matter what, we are hopeful that God will save us from the present situation; that’s why I’ve declared fasting and prayers in the state for the next two days,” he told the people.

    Ugwuanyi who also visited the traditional ruler of Nimbo community, Igwe John Akor, lamented the loss of lives and destruction of property including the Christ Holy Church, Onueke Nimbo, which was burnt by the attackers.

    He sued for peace and assured the people that efforts were being made to find a lasting solution to the problem. He urged the people, especially the youth, not to take laws into their hands by engaging in any form of reprisal.

    A community leader, Dr Ajokwu George, appealed to the government to come to their aid as their community has become a hunting ground for herders.

    “We are not happy because our community is under threat; we have been burying our loved ones. We are more worried because in this case, we even alerted the security that these people were planning to attack us but nothing was done. As we speak, we’ve recovered over 20 bodies and we are still recovering more. Many others are in the morgue and in the hospitals. What did we do to deserve this? We are really pleading that something should be done. Our women have been raped and killed and nothing has happened.

    “What has happened is just a tip of the iceberg because we know they will come again. The way they invade our community and rape women before their husbands is worrisome. We need security here, not just for a day or week but for months to protect us. We thank you for coming to empathise with us and we want you to deliver our people from this problem,” George said.

     

  • Court jails septuagenarian for raping minors

    Court jails septuagenarian for raping minors

    An Osun High Court in llesha has sentenced a septuagenarian, Moses Adeniyi, to seven years imprisonment for raping minors.

    Adeniyi, a Chief in Ilesha, with the chieftaincy title, Loja Araromi Otokobo, was accused of raping two girls who were 13 and 14 years, respectively in his hotel in the town.

    Adeniyi, who was first arraigned on March 28, 2011, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    The Judge, Justice Kudirat Akano, in her judgment, said the prosecuting counsel had proved his case beyond reasonable doubt.

    Akano said the convict was guilty of the charge and consequently sentenced him to seven years imprisonment.

    The Prosecutor, Mr Tijani Adekilekun, said the offence of rape contravened Sections 358 and 360 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 vol.11 Laws of Osun State.

    Adekilekun said that the convict raped the minors in his hotel in Ilesa in May 2010 after giving them on their way from school.

    “The minor accepted the offer because one of the girls’ parents was once a neigbhour to the convict.

    “But rather the convict dropping the girls at their homes, he took them to his hotel, Prince Way Hotel, Ilesha.

    “He ushered the girls into one of the rooms in the hotel and told them not to shout, warning them that if they do, they will die.

    “The convict thereafter raped the minors in turns after which he wiped their vagina with a white handkerchief and warned them not to tell anyone otherwise they will die,’’ Adekilekun told the court.

    He further told the court that the secret became opened when one of the girls’ mothers was informed by another student that a man gave the two girls a ride on their way home from school the previous day.

    Adekilekun said the woman then went to the school to inquire from the teachers.

    “The girls were afraid to reveal the identity of their rapist because they were told they will die if they told anyone.

    “It was after much assurance that the girls will not die before they narrated the whole story to their parents.’’

    The defence counsel, Mr. Sokoya Ayodeji, said he would appeal against the judgment.

     

  • Don’t forgive rapists, NGO urges parents

    An NGO, Jigawa Women Network for Access to Justice (JIWNAJ), on Sunday advised parents of rape victims not to forgive men who rape their children.

    The Chairlady of the organisation, Hajiya Uwani Yunusa, gave the advice in Dutse on Sunday in an interview with newsmen.

    She further urged parents of such victims to always report such incidents to the appropriate authorities in their respective communities.

    Yunusa also warned parents not to wash the genitals of their raped girls until the matter was reported to the police.

    She pointed out that this would enable the police to establish evidence when they take the victim to the hospital for confirmation.

    “ Some parents are being convinced to forgive people who rape their daughters through reconciliation or dispute and conflict resolution in their communities.

    “Parents should always open up and report such cases to the police for appropriate actions to be taken against such suspects.

    “You should also not immediately wash the private part of the victim, you should wait until when the case is reported to the police and evidence taken, “ she said.

    Yunusa also warned parents, particularly mothers, to always monitor the movements of their female children in order to protect them.

    “I am calling on parents, especially mothers, to do their best as God-given duty to protect their children from this recurrent ugly incident.

    “You should also desist from sending girl children on street hawking as they mostly fall victims of rape, “ she said. (NAN)

  • Man held for ‘raping’ wife’s sister for 10 years

    Man held for ‘raping’ wife’s sister for 10 years

    A 36-year-old man, Imeh Akpan   accused of raping his wife’s 15-year-old step-sister for 10 years has been arrested by the police in Lagos.

    The suspect, who was paraded before reporters on Wednesday afternoon, however denied the allegation, insisting that he only did it once.

    Akpan, according to the Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni, started defiling the teenager since she was five-year-old.

    “The teenager has been living with him since she was small. He started raping her when she was five-year-old.

    “She lives with him and his wife, who’s her step-sister and he has been defiling her since then.

    “But he was eventually caught at the weekend after the girl ran out of the house and was rescued by some policemen,” said Owoseni. 

    However, the victim (names withheld) disclosed that the man has taken advantage of her twice and her sister was not around.

    She stated that she has complained to her sister once and when the older woman confronted her husband, he denied raping her.

    She said: “My daddy (suspect) raped me because my mummy travelled to Akwa Ibom last Wednesday. I was sleeping on Sunday, around 10pm, my daddy came and removed my clothes and slept with me. 

    “He used the towel to cover my eye and my mouth but I was still shouting and crying. He said nobody will come and help me. So, I ran out of the house when i got chance. After I ran out, I begged my neighbour to give me phone to talk to my mummy (half sister) and he said there is no credit in his phone. 

    “So, I ran towards the police station at the roundabout. On my way there, I saw one man who asked me where I was going. I told him everything and the man said he will take me to police station and to human right. 

    “So, he now took me to hotel that I should come and sleep in hotel till morning before he will take me to the station. I followed the man and I now said I cannot sleep with him inside the hotel. 

    “When I wanted to close my eyes, I was now seeing the man as if his hand was touching me in my dream. I could not close my eyes. Around 3am, I told the man I want to go and ease myself and he allowed me. 

    “The man now said since I want to go and report everything at police station that he will use his own money and that the money will be N50, 000, that I should do him a favour and enter the room. I did but the man wanted to rape me also and I shouted before the owner of the hotel came and opened the door. 

    “That was how I ran outside. As I was walking on the road, policemen saw me and I told them everything and they called one Okada man to take me to Lion Building. 

    “He has slept with me two times. The first time was last year. I told my mummy everything when she came back from church because my daddy told her that I ran out of the house. When I told her, she believed me but when my uncle now denied, he claimed that I left the door open and someone entered the house. That was why he kicked my left and I ran out,” she narrated.

    But the victim who claimed he was drunk said he did not know what he did or how he did it.

    “She is like my daughter and it is an abomination for me to sleep with her. I have been the one training her since she was a baby. I was drunk and I did not know anything. It was the police that invited me and told me I raped her. I did not even know. It is only this once I have done it. I do not know what came over me,” he said.