The Nation Newspaper

Tag: rape

  • Campus survey blames school managements for rape, bribery

    Authorities of higher institutions have been blamed for their poor attitude to the spate of sexual harassment on campuses across the country. The criticism followed a recent survey conducted by the Dream Project for Africa (DPA), a non-governmental organisation dedicated to end bribery and sexual harassment in higher institutions.

    The respondents to the survey, who were students, said school authorities did not sexual harassment seriously.

    Seventy-five per cent of the respondents said harassment was high in the past years. Further analysis, according to DPA, showed that 90 per cent of the respondents were between the ages of 16 and 26.

    Some social commentators, who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE, said the situation was dangerous for the future of the country, adding that the silence on the part of the management on cases of abuse and bribery could have adverse consequences for the country.

    The DPA said the survey indicated that some of the respondents were afraid to report cases of rape, since actions would not be taken by their school managements.

    On the case of bribery, DPA said 75 per cent of the respondents saw bribery as a major challenge for quality learning in higher institutions. The NGO said 53 per cent of the respondents were of the opinion that schools did not created good system for reporting the crime, while 47 per cent of the respondents had offered a bribe or asked to pay a bribe before.  The study also revealed that most sexual harassment cases were caused by provocative dressing by students.

    Jumoke Awe, a lawyer and entrepreneur, urged higher institutions’ managements to arrest the spate of harassment and bribery on campuses, adding that the acts could become uncontrollable if necessary actions were not taken to address the issues.

     

     

  • Anomie and rape in varsities

    SIR: From a part-time lecturer at the University of Lagos to professor of Law at the University of Calabar, the sad involvement of intellectuals in moral debauchery of sex exploitation of female students has further confirmed the slip of the Nigerian society into moral anomie. In the Judeo-Christian tradition, the university symbolizes structure of moral purity. The university is a architecture designed for the pursuit of intellectual growth of society and ought to be divorced from the everyday concerns. But as universities become encircled by communities, and as a collectivity of human beings; we cannot but find the saint and the sinner cohabiting. Rape is a subset of sexual assault which is gaining ground due to our docile and sentimental nature which downplays the inhumanity of some of us against the vulnerable. Rape in our ‘knowledge factories’, like the other reported cases outside the walls of universities indicate the erosion of trust in our society. While the UNILAG case indicated abuse of trust, the UNICAL involved abuse of office, threat and capitalization on the vulnerability of the student.

    Nigeria is not yet in the league of top 20 countries in the world where rape is more deadly but if we are not careful and enforce the necessary laws, it will get out of hand. The social networks of randy lecturers are strong that it sometimes frustrates any efforts at reporting. Why rape students? Sociologically, it is rational action because the benefit outweighs the cost as it is in Nigeria. Rapist lecturers operate like other typical offenders based on power, anger and sexuality. The compromised lecturers operate from the position of strength of their power as having the ability to determine who will be found worthy to graduate. Thus they feel insulted if their subtle request is rejected by the ladies. They set up obstacles such as test, examinations and openly insult and harass their victims all with the aim of having their way. Rather than taking money, having sex with the student becomes a weapon of perpetual domination and a victory of masculinity. To them, having their way is their ‘victory’ over a disrespectful student. Rape is therefore symptomatic of patriarchal societies like Nigeria. Lecturers who rape students have emphatic or social skill deficits and may justify their behaviours on the basis of cognitive distortions.

    The way forward is having a supportive judiciary in attending to rape cases and their punishment if the case ever gets to that stage. If a rape case appears before a male judge, he is more likely to make a mess of it. The female judge feels affected and likely to dispense off the case with justice. Universities should have dress codes to check nudity and appropriately sanction infractions. A rapist lecturer should face a degradation ceremony; a shaming parade within the university. Such a lecturer, after prima facie has been established, must be taken across campus and his picture published in the university calendar. Universities must also be fined if a case of rape is established within their confines. Doing this will make institutions enforce high moral standard among the workforce. Universities must have a unit to investigate gender and sexual harassment as is being done at the University of Ibadan under the Gender Mainstreaming office. This unit must be made to function and lecturers found culpable must be disciplined within the stipulated laws. Rape comes under offences against morality in the criminal code and we must arrest it as we cannot allow this moral anomie to continue.

     

    • Dr Oludayo Tade,

    Department of Sociology,

    University of Ibadan.

     

  • Rape of teenager: Security guards get N1m bail

    Rape of teenager: Security guards get N1m bail

    Two Lagos security guards, who allegedly gang-raped a teenage girl, are on temporary reprieve of N1 million bail on the orders of an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.

    The accused — Gabriel Vincent, 26, and Anthony Oguche, 25 — who reside at Akowonjo near Egbeda, a Lagos suburb, are facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, abduction and rape.

    The Magistrate, Mrs. Bola Osunsanmi, who granted them a bail of N500, 000 each, also directed the men to produce two responsible sureties in like sum.

    [ad id=”403656″]She ordered that their files should be duplicated and sent to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

    Both denied the charges.

    But the prosecutor, Insp. Simeon Imhonwa, insisted that the security guards committed the offences on Aug. 27 at 5.00 p.m. at their office at Santos Ventures, Akowonjo Roundabout.

    He said the pair lured the 15-year-old girl into their room at the security post and held her hostage for several hours.

    “They held her in their room against her will, manhandled her and then raped her that evening.”

    The offences contravened Sections 137,141, and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 137 provides imprisonment for life, while Sections 141and 409 prescribe two years for abduction and conspiracy respectively.

    The magistrate adjourned further hearing in the case to Oct. 26.

  • Patience Ozokwor, Amechi Muonagor decry rape in Code of Silence

    Patience Ozokwor, Amechi Muonagor decry rape in Code of Silence

    Emem Isong’s new movie, Code of Silence, appears timely, as current incidents of rape trail a university lecturer, who is accused of raping an admission seeker, even as another 70-year-old man in Kaduna was accused of having raped two underage sisters in his neighborhood.

    “Unless society stands up firm against the unceasing occurrences of rape and violence against women, this will continue to make our society look unsafe for women and girls,” said the filmmaker.

    After spending a bit of time patting backs, snapping pictures and hugging the camera in the way artistes do globally, the crowd moved towards screen five to have a feel of what Code of Silence, a joint effort of Royal Arts Academy and Nollywood Workshops had to offer.

    Written by Bola Aduwo, the movie which premiered penultimate Friday at the Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island, Lagos, has an ensemble cast of Patience Ozokwor, Desmond Elliot, Ini Edo, Omoni Oboli, Amechi Muonagor and Shawn Faqua, alongside Makida Moka and Bimbo Peters. It started showing at cinemas across the country immediately after the premiere.

    Some of the guests at the event described the movie as one which takes the audience through the whole gamut of what life could be within about 90 minutes. The film opens on a playful note with siblings Adanma (Makida Moka) and Chucks (Shawn Faqua) in a  convivial exchange in which their mother Ngozi (Patiencce Ozokwor) soon becomes a party.

    Adanma, who is the lead female, is a simple, almost carefree but focused disposition soon pales into total darkness as she gets raped by a local politician who is possibly older than her late father. The aftermath of the violence that this young medical student suffers on the victim, her family, people with whom she has relationships and the whole community is the core of the advocacy of Code of Silence, as directed by Isong.

    Interestingly, the film employs remarkable hilarity in the comedic interventions of Ozokwor and Muonagor.

    In the end of it all, the movie challenges the man found in the depreciating act of forcing ladies into intercourse, encourages the victim to challenge the status quo and speak up, as much as it tasks society to avoid stigma and insist on punishment for offenders.

    The glamorous premiere was attended by notable stakeholders in the film industry, such as Mahmood Ali-Balogun, Gabriel Okoye (Gabosky),  Zik Zulu Okafor, Bond Emeruwa and Keppy Ekpeyong Bassey, as well as cast and crew of the movie.

  • Lagos: Proprietor charged with rape of two pupils

    Lagos: Proprietor charged with rape of two pupils

    A primary school proprietor, Joseph Ogunleye, was on Thursday charged before a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos over alleged defilement of two pupils in his school.

    Ogunleye, 56, whose address is unknown, is standing trial on a charge of defilement.

    According to the prosecutor, Insp. Rita Momah, the accused committed the offence on June 27 at Ijegun, Ikotun, Lagos.

    She alleged that the accused unlawfully defiled an eight-year-old girl and a 10-year-old girl who were pupils in his school.

    “A nearby shop owner heard the two girls telling their friends about how their school proprietor touched their private parts and that they cannot tell their parents.

    “The 10-year-old explained how the accused had canal knowledge of her, while the 8-year-old also admitted that he did the same thing to her.

    Ogunleye, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    The Magistrate, Mrs O.A. Erinle, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N500,000, with two sureties in like sum.

    The case was adjourned till Oct. 26 for trial.

  • Dealing with rape

    DEAR Aunty Harriet, Please, what happens to people who are raped? I am a 14- year old girl who was raped by my 54-year old uncle. He threatened to kill me, if I told my parents. Now, I just discovered that I am pregnant. The sad thing is that I am afraid to tell my parents. What if they don’t believe me.  My only consolation is that I still keep the dress I wore on the day it happened. It has blood stains.

    Ayo, Lagos.

    Your story is one that must be treated properly with all the necessary steps followed seriously. We commend you for sharing your story; it takes courage to speak out because most victims are too afraid or ashamed to tell anyone. Others feel no one will believe their stories. They will rather keep the whole issue of rape to themselves. They try to deal with it on their own without involving anyone. Silence does not heal such wounds. Instead, it makes it worse because rape can destroy someone if not tackled properly. It can affect other aspects of the victim’s life. The offender must be exposed so that first he can face the law for his wicked act.  It is aIso to put an end to it because if not reported the offender will seize the opportunity to keep sexually abusing the victim or might rape someone else and in most cases they go as far as threatening his victim. Some even tell them that no one will believe their stories. This is mainly common with offenders that are well known to the family, for example, relatives and close family friends. Our hearts go to you for the bad thing your trusted uncle did to you, but the only way you can feel better, even in the middle of the whole situation, is to tell your parents. You might want to tell your mother because he is her brother, but make sure your daddy is home when you do so. Don’t hide any information from them. Yes, I know you are afraid with thoughts going through your head. Trust me, they will not react the way you think. At least, one or both will believe you, however, in some cases, you find the woman defending or covering her brother. Others might accuse their children of telling lies against their brothers, instead of taking action and showing sympathy to the innocent child that has being defiled and traumatized. Ayo, the rape is not your fault; it is your uncle’s fault.

    Nobody has the right to rape you. You did not ask to be raped, and you did not want to be raped. There is no moral justification for his action because, in most cases, victims blame themselves for the act, so for healing to take place after you have reported the issue, let your parents know how you feel about the whole thing. Open up to them so that they can help you heal. Parents in situation like this should listen to their children; provide all the necessary help that they need. Encourage and protect them; keep assuring them and don’t be too harsh on yourself as well. This is not a time for blame. Instead, it is a time for you to walk with your child through the stages of grief and other emotions and reactions. Help her confront, express and resolve all feelings. Accept them with understanding and comfort.  Rape, as we know, is an unspeakably tragic and traumatic experience for most victims, especially when the offender is a close relative. Next is to seek medical care for the victim. This is actually the first thing to do once it is reported immediately. On such occasion, the victim might still be in shock. Some might not be aware of the physical injuries they suffered. Seek the help of a doctor for a check-up. Follow these steps: Don’t change clothes worn during rape. Don’t shower after the rape. This includes douching or washing because valuable evidence for identifying the offender may be lost. Also test for sexually transmitted diseases. As for Ayo’s case, it is not too late. The fact that you did not follow the above steps initially is because you were scared. You still have the dress that was stained with blood on the day your uncle raped you. If he denies it, which he will, kindly show the dress to your parents. The dress can be of help for medical investigation to who the real offender is. Furthermore, because rape isn’t just physically damaging, it can be emotionally damaging as well. A person who has been raped and pregnant may have mixed emotions. They can be angry, scared, or embarrassed, among other feelings. These mixed emotions can manifest themselves in many ways, such as sleeping , eating and withdrawal from everyday activities, mistrust towards others, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and extreme fear or paranoia. The best way to deal with the emotional trauma of rape is to seek professional help from a therapist or counsellor. A professional will take the victim through all the necessary healing process which is very vital. Rape must not be ignored. The fact about healing is that the situation might get worse before it gets better. At the end of the day, as you go through the stages with activities, you will be fine. Above all, God will definitely see you through and you will smile again.

    Take care of yourself.

     

    Harriet ogbobine is a counselor and a motivational speaker. Send your questions and suggestions to her on bineharriet@gmail.com or txt message only 08023058805. You can also follow her on twitter: @bineharrietj

  • Commercial taxi driver rapes female passenger

    Commercial taxi driver rapes female passenger

    A 36 year old commercial taxi driver identified as John Madu has been arrested by the Police at Obehie community in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State after he allegedly raped a female passenger.

    The lady whose name could not be ascertained was said to be a female passenger returning to Obehie from Lagos to meet her parents before the incident happened.

    The Nation gathered that all the entreaties made by the lady to the driver not to rape her as she claimed to be a virgin failed on deaf ears as he went on to force himself on the lady and defiled her.

    It was learnt that luck ran out on Madu (driver) when the lady who had hid in a nearby bush after being raped told a Patrol team of police personnel on night duty within the area how she was forcefully raped by the suspect.

    A source disclosed that the lady was returning from Lagos after she had gone to Lagos to try her luck but didn’t succeed as she (the rape victim) said that she earns more money in her parents’ location than what she was being paid in Lagos and so, felt that there was no need staying in Lagos.

    The State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ezekiel Udeviotu Onyeke narrating Police account of the incident said “The girl whose name we can’t give out to the public boarded car to Owerri, Imo State where she picked another vehicle to Aba, Abia State and on getting to Aba, it was already late. But being determined to go home and meet her parents who are staying around Obehie, she boarded a cab from Flyover (a popular bus stop in Aba) to Obehie.

    “She was the only passenger inside the vehicle. The driver told the lady that he had ran out of fuel, but the lady told him not to stop his vehicle until they get to a place where they can sight people’s house.

    “While they were still driving, the driver asked the girl which church she attends. The lady told him and the driver told the lady that he is a member of the same church. That made the lady felt at home and while they were still driving, he asked the lady if she will marry him, but the girl politely told him that marriage are not contracted on the road. That if he is serious with his proposal, he should come to see her people with his people as custom demands. It was at that point that the driver stopped on the road and the lady having sensed danger, opened the door and took to her heels. She was swiftly pursued by the driver who caught up with her and then forced himself on the lady even when she told him that he was a virgin and had vowed that it will be her husband that will break her virginity.

    “The man after raping her slept off and while he was sleeping, the lady for fear of being raped the second time, ran out of the car to hide a bush and when the police team Operation Safer Highway saw the car and was asking the driver why he parked there, the lady having noticed their presence told her story and the boy was arrested by the police team.”

    Onyeke said that the matter had already been handed over to the State CID for further interrogation and would soon been arraigned before the court when investigation must have been concluded.

    In a related development, Abia State Police Command has confirmed that a 15year old girl, a native of Iyi-enyi village, Isieke Ibeku in Umuahia North Local Government Area of the state have been raped to death by a three man gang.

    She was raped by one Ndubuisi Nwogu and his syndicates; Chinasa Ufuomadu and Francis Onwoborob after they forcefully overpowered her to have their way.

    It was learnt that the victim and the sister went to the Central Police Station along Bende Road, in Umuahiato report the matter.

    It was also learnt that the parents of the victim who were not around when the incident happened scolded the lady for walking on the road alone at night after Nwogu who had made several advances on her had threatened to deal with her.

    The young lady who could not withstand the continued scolding of her mother evaded the family’s morning devotion that fateful day to hang herself.

    The victims are still at large, according to the Police Public Relations Officer, who confirmed the incident to our correspondent.

    The rape suspect is the Taxi driver, while the lady is the one that committed suicide after she was raped

     

  • Oshiomhole advocates stiffer penalties for rape, child abuse 

    Oshiomhole advocates stiffer penalties for rape, child abuse 

    Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has advocated stiffer penalties against rapists, paedophiles and anyone involved in child abuse to serve as deterrence to others.

    He also urged people of the state to stop giving alms to child beggars to discourage the rising trend of child beggars in the state.

    Speaking to the Chairman and members of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) in the state, led by Mrs. Stella Ojemen, who paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Thursday, Oshiomhole said, “Edo State Government appreciates that you are addressing some of the challenges that government ought to have addressed like ensuring that we all mount campaigns against rape and defilement as well as ensure that when people have carried out these heinous crimes, that they are properly arrested and that they are diligently prosecuted with a view to sending them to prison.

    “We have discussed this time and again at our Executive Council Meetings and at a point, we asked the Attorney-General to review the laws such that the number of years a convict gets will commensurate with the severe nature of rape and defilement.”

    Oshiomhole added, “we are concerned, we have discussed this and we have a feeling that the number of reported cases are on the increase. We also know that because of the nature of our environment, there will be several others that may not even be reported at all.

    “When you look at the sheer number of rape cases that are recorded, it is clear that across the country, both rape and defilement cases are increasing and therefore this calls for tougher measures on the part of those strengthening the law and providing for stiffer and harsher punishments than what is currently obtained but also ensure that the few cases that are reported are properly prosecuted with a view to securing conviction.

    “Consistent with our commitment in this area, I would advise that whenever you have such cases, when you are likely to have much more information than even the Ministry of Justice or Police, and there might be cases where efforts are made to cover up cases reported in some quarters, you are an NGO and might wish to open up such cases. So I will advise you to liaise effectively with the Attorney-General and also encourage the Local Government Chapters to ensure that all cases are reported.”

    The Governor however noted that the State has recorded a high level of victory in the fight against kidnapping and reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that kidnappers are completely put out of business in the State.

    He said, “I appreciate the issues you raised about kidnapping and the peculiar challenges that female victims suffer but we are dealing with it globally and we have recorded a lot of achievements. We have presently up to 50 cases of kidnappers that have been arrested and so the era of impunity where the state appears helpless is over.

    “The unfortunate thing though is that as we apprehend we still have more young people going into the business. We will sustain our effort at arresting and ensuring prosecution. We have amended the law to provide for death penalty for proven cases of kidnapping and also to demolish the houses of the kidnappers or any premises used for kidnapping because we feel that landlords are liable, they are supposed to verify the character and status of their tenants. These are some of the measures we have taken to ensure that we make the state a lot safer for our people”.

    The Governor called on the people of the State to join hands with Government and other Non Governmental Organizations to ensure that incidents of child labour and street begging are completely wiped out of the State adding that Edo people are not lazy and will never succumb to begging as an alternative to hard work.

    He said, “on the issue of Child Labour, I am disturbed at the growing numbers of beggars and their children that I see along the streets and a lot of these people are people who have migrated to Edo these past few months and unless we take firm measures, Edo may become a haven for beggars that have been thrown out of even their own states of origin where begging has been prohibited. I have directed the Commissioner for Women Affair to take firm measures to bring this incidence to an end.

    “Edo cannot be a haven for beggars. We recognize the economic challenges but begging is not and will not be the solution and exposing children to begging is unhealthy and I will even appeal to Edo people not to give alms to child beggars because it doesn’t help because women and their fathers push this children to the street, they use them in the manner they do hoping they will attract pity. The more pity we show to those kids, the more they are subjected to these dehumanizing practices. This is not a thing to be encouraged.”

    Earlier, Chairperson of International Federation of Women Lawyers, Edo State Branch, Mrs. Stella Ojemen said they were in Government House to promote the rights of women and children.

    She said, “We are not profit making and not a religious organization, non-political. Our duties are simple: to ensure that women and children who are confronted with all kinds of issues are protected. We are disturbed by the incidence of child labor and trafficking of women in the state and with the plight of widows who are being disturbed by the families of the husband.

    “We are also worried by the incidence of female gender mutilation. We are also worried about the maltreatment of women and children in crisis zones and we are really disturbed by all of these issues.”

     

  • Man, 51, remanded for raping NYSC member to death

    Man, 51, remanded for raping NYSC member to death

    An Ilorin Magistrate Court has remanded a 51 year old man for allegedly raping a youth corps member to death in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital.

    The late youth corps member, Idowu Yetunde Shukurat was a member of the 2014 batch B set in the state.

    She was serving with the state broadcasting corporation (Radio Kwara) Ilorin, before her demise.

    Late Yetunde’s corpse was reportedly found about a month ago around Government Residential Area (GRA) Ilorin.

    The suspected killer of the youth corps member, Abdullahi Tanko and his accomplices now on the run lured the lady from her residence in Saw-Mill area to a shopping mall where she was raped to death.

    The police prosecutor, Inspector Matthew Ologbon told the court that police received a distress call that day to go to Simeon Okedi street in GRA in the metropolis.
    Ologbon said that when police got to the place they found the late corps member on the ground in a pool of her blood.

    The Prosecutor told the court that the suspected killer and his gang had raped the deceased inside their car, which caused her untimely death.

    He added that after they had raped the late corps member at Tanko’s residence at Plot 6, Simion Okedi Upabiasika junction GRA, they dropped her dead body to nearby junction leaving her in a pool of blood.

    The Police prosecutor added that the police located Tanko’s house through the blood stains of the deceased and the suspected killer was arrested.

    The prosecutor added that the mobile phone of the deceased was found with Tanko at the time of his arrest.

    He added that efforts were still going on to arrest Tanko’s fleeing gangs by the police.
    The prosecutor urged the court to remand the suspected killer in prison custody until other suspects were arrested and completion of police investigations.

    Presiding Magistrate, K.A Yahaya therefore ordered that the accused be remanded in Mandala Minimum prison, Ilorin outskirts.

    He adjourned the case till August 10, 2015 for further hearing.

  • Bread seller raped to death in Edo

    Unknown gunmen has abducted and raped a 23 year old girl to death in Benin City, Edo State capital.

    The victim identified as Joy Okoh used to sell bread at Lucky Way junction at Ramat Park, Oregbeni quarters.

    She was abducted while going home and later found dead inside the boot of a Jeep at Upper Mission Extension road in Benin City.

    Her abductors were said to have snatched the vehicle before it was abandoned.

    Also, a teenager whose identity is yet to be ascertained is on the run after allegedly stabbing his mother’s lover to death.

    It was learnt that the teenager committed the act while defending his mother who was engaged in brawl with her late lover.

    The deceased whose name was given as Osayande Edoigiawerie lived with his family at Zabayor Street, the same street where his lover lives with her children.

    Children of the deceased said their father hurriedly left home that evening after receiving a call from his lover.

    The teenager and his mother are now on the run while the house where the incident took place has been abandoned.

    State Police spokesman, DSP Stephen Onwuchei confirmed the incidents and said the police have commenced investigations.