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Tag: rape

  • Speak out against domestic violence, Ambode’s wife, Adebule urge women

    LAGOS State Deputy Governor Dr Oluranti Adebule and wife of the governor, Mrs Bolanle Ambode  have urged women  to speak out against domestic violence, child abuse, rape and teenage pregnancy, among other vices.

    They spoke at the Lagos Women’s Forum, which held at the Police College, Ikeja. The event was organised to address women’s health and recurring social vices in the society.

    It was supported by Power Oil, a healthy cooking oil as part of its   efforts to intensify the advocacy for a healthy living and other well-being measures, especially among women in  the society.

    Wife of the first civilian governor of the state Alhaja Abimbola Jakande; Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Sustainable Development Goals, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, the state Head of Service (HoS) Mrs. Folasade Adesoye were some of the dignitaries at the event.

    With the theme: Woman…your health, your social environment,  Mrs Ambode said sound health is one of life’s greatest blessings, hence the need to encourage and educate women to live in good health for longer life and optimal performance in all aspects of life.

    She said: “Good health is the gateway to everything. To have good health, we need to take care of our body, mind and soul. It is when we have good health that we can run around for business and engage in other activities.”

    While also condemning the spate of social vices in the state, Mrs Ambode urged women to voice out their discontent with domestic violence, child abuse, rape and teenage pregnancy.

    She said: “Importantly, too, we would be examining the rights of women under the law in the face of persistent social problems. When we know our rights, we can speak better and act better to protect ourselves if and when those circumstances arise.”

    She reminded women of their role as mothers and co-ordinators of the family unit, which, according to her, imposed on them the responsibility of bringing up their children in the most decent way for a decent and moral society.

    According to her, good health is a prerequisite for every other thing, including good attention to children and family, business and political activities.

    “It is when we have good health that we can run around for business, take care of our homes, our children or engage in political activities. When we have sound health, we can better attend to all issues and concerns,” she said.

    Mrs Adebule said the forum provided a platform for women to say “enough” to challenges they were facing. “We should no longer be stereotyped into silence, but become vocal advocates for an improved health delivery system and social justice for women in Lagos State and the country,” she said.

    Mrs Adebule said it was unfortunate that 23 years after the Beijing Declaration, women were still facing many health and social problems.

    She urged women to embrace sustainable advocacy and take conscious action of their health and how they are treated by the society at large.

    “We should no longer be stereotyped into silence, but become vocal advocates for improved health delivery system and social justice for women in the state and the country.

    “As critical stakeholders, our role must be focused on investing and increasing access of more girls and women to good health, quality education; ensuring that laws that respect and ensure the rights of women are enforced and help create gender-posture media messages that support women and girls in distress,” she said.

    Power Oil Public Relations Manager, Omotayo Azeez-Abiodun, said the firm was delighted to align with such a laudable health awareness and well-being programme, particularly  women in the society.

    The programme, she said, shared similar values with what the brand stands for  Healthy Living and general well being.

    According to her, because of the multi-functional nature of women, they equally deserve healthy state  to carry out their duties efficiently. “This one of the reasons it is recommended that they take advantage of the free health check up and medical consultation opportunity, which Power Oil health camp offers, Omotayo stated.

    A Director from the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Mrs Modupeola Adebambo,  said sexually- abused children have the tendency to be sexually active and be exposed to teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and alcohol addiction, among others.

    She appealed to parents not to abuse their children, urging them to teach them sexual education because of the danger inherent in sexual abuse.

    Office of Public Defender (OPD) Director Olayinka Adeyemi, also urged women to speak out against domestic violence and report such cases to the OPD for legal action.

     

  • ‘Rape incidents alarming, under-reported’

    Dr Kemi Ademola-Aremu, a Gender Activist, on Wednesday incidents of rape are alarming and under-reported in the country.

    She also described as worrisome the non-availability of correct statistics on rape cases in Oyo State.

    Ademola-Aremu, the Executive Director, Choice Solution Welfare Initiative International (CSWII), made this known to our reporter in Ibadan.

    She noted that rape incidences were underreported despite its high prevalence in Oyo state.

    She said that in spite of the hues and cries about rape and other acts of domestic violence against the girl-child and women, possible stigmatisation had prevented victims from reporting their ordeals.

    “Because of the stigma placed on the victims it had become increasingly difficult to come out and report rape cases.

    “Even when cases are reported to relevant government agencies, such are not bothered to document them.

    Read Also: More convictions, please

    “The government, hospitals, police and other stakeholders should be more proactive in reporting and documenting rape cases.

    “Kudos should be given to the Federal Government for promulgating the Child Rights Act of 2003, which many states of the federation have domesticated.

    “But a lot still needs to be done in the area of getting required and effective statistics on rape incidences,” the director said.

    According to her, in the US, they use a formula to calculate rape incidence based on the reported cases and they came up with a statistics of “one in five’’.

    She said that such formula could be used by stakeholders in Nigeria, adding that there is urgent need to create such statistics.

    Ademola-Aremu disclosed that her NGO had started generation of data on rape and would soon publish same.

    She appealed to all stakeholders to collaborate on efforts to report rape incidents and in generating relevant data for record purposes.

  • Armed robbers rape corps member in Bayelsa

    An unidentified female member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has been raped by a gang of armed robbers in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

    It was gathered that the hoodlums, who were engaged in house-to-house robbery at Yenizue Gene, a suburb of Yenagoa, attacked the corps member’s apartment located in the area on Sunday morning.

    The armed robbers numbering about three stormed the area at about 3am and fired several gunshots into the air to scare away a vigilance group, whose members were only carrying sticks and cutlasses.

    They were said to have robbed the victim of his mobile phones, cash and other valuables and later raped her.

    A resident, who spoke under condition of anonymity, said they took turns on the victim despite her pleas for mercy.

    “She has, however, been taken to the hospital for treatment”, the source said.

    Read Also:Court sentences 35-year-old to two years jail term for rape

    Sources said the police were alerted but that they could only do little following the blackout in Yenagoa.

    The Port-Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) has since November last year thrown the entire state including Yenagoa into darkness.

    The development has led to upsurge in criminal activities especially cult-related killings and armed robberies.

    A local vigilance member, Tonye, said the security men, who arrived the robbery scene, were afraid they could run into an ambush laid by the hoodlums.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Asinim Butswat, confirmed the incident and said three armed robbers were involved in the crime.

    He said the traumatised corps member reported the matter to the police station including the way the hoodlums took turns on her.

    Butswat noted that the victim also made useful statement on the identities of the armed robbers adding that the police immediately launched a manhunt on them.

  • ‘My wife was disvirgined right in my presence’

    “I dated my girl for three years without sex. For her, I decided to remain celibate because she wasn’t ready for it.

    After our Traditional marriage, she still refused and wouldn’t let me touch her at all.

    We however fixed our wedding date. On my bachelor’s eve, my friends were around with their girlfriends.

    I really wanted to have my woman to myself that night and I spoke to her about it but she turned me down as usual and begged me to wait a little longer. I agreed after all, we would be married soon.

    At last D-DAY finally came and I was waiting patiently for the wedding ceremony to be over.

    At 6pm, we were home relaxing. I called  my wife and asked that we  take a shower together, she said she was shy and cannot come. I didn’t force her.

    She however had her bath first and I had mine later. When I finished, I came out to meet my wife asleep.

    I joined her in bed, kissed her and she woke up. I’m not even sure she was really asleep. I started making advances because I really needed it. I had waited for too long.

    My beloved wife started crying and begging me to wait till nightfall, that she needed to get some rest and when she wakes up, I’ll do all I so desire to do with her. I couldn’t hold it anymore but I managed to control the urge.

    At about 9pm or there about, we heard a knock on the door, and the person behind said he had come to drop a parcel sent to us by my mother.

    I went to get the door and I was shocked to see five armed men in mask.

    Read Also: ‘I mistakenly cheated on my wife with her kid sister’

    I begged them not to harm us. They asked for money but we had no money at home, after all we just got married.

    To cut the story short, these men took turns in raping my wife.

    She got disvirgin by the first right in front of me. Right in my own eyes.

    I couldn’t bear it. I cried as I watched those heartless men force themselves on my wife.

    They didn’t leave her until she was unconscious. After the entire tragedy, I called neighbours and we rushed her to the hospital.

    After two days, she regained consciousness. I made sure she was fine.

    But really guys, I cannot forget that day, My wife was disvirgined right in my presence.

    I can’t touch her no more, i don’t even crave for her anymore.

    I cannot live with her anymore. I want to file a divorce already. What would you advise me to do?”

     

     

    You can also share your story with us @info@thenationonlineng.net

     

     

  • Man, 27, in court over attempt to rape 60-year-old

    A 27-year-old man, Adeoye Olatomide, was on Friday docked in an Okitipupa Magistrates’ Court in Ondo State for alleged attempt to rape a 60-year-old woman.

    Olatomide is facing three-count charge of conspiracy, assault and attempted rape.

    The Prosecutor, Insp. Zedekiah Orogbemi, told the court that the defendant committed the offences with one other person currently at large on April 12 at 6.30 p.m along Okitipupa-Irele Junction.

    Orogbemi said Olatomide dragged the woman to a nearby bush and forcefully had canal knowledge of her.

    Read Also: ‘Killer’-wife arraigned for hubby’s death

    The prosecutor added that “Olatomide was apprehended by a passerby, while his accomplice escaped.”

    He said the offences contravened sections 356, 357 and 358, Criminal Law of Ondo State, 2006.

    However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to charges against him and the Magistrate, Mr Banji Ayeomoni, ordered that he be remanded in prison and adjourned the case until June 22.

  • MTV Shuga addresses sex, rape and consent with documentary

    With the world fixed on the outcry by women over sexual abuse and exploitation, MTV Shuga In Real Life (MTV Shuga IRL) is set to beam its searchlight on the topic with a 30-minute special that will chronicle the lives of these real individuals as they  go through the struggles portrayed in the hit series.

    In a statement by the organisers of MTV Shuga IRL, the documentary will address issues such as unprotected  sex, transactional sex, female education and the myths behind contraceptives.

    “This generation may have access to more information than ever before and this has definitely translated to more awareness on subjects relating to sex, rape and consent,” it said.

    “However, very little has changed in behavioural pattern, people are still getting raped on a daily, guys still can’t tell when no means no and young people are still having unprotected sex without a care in the world.

    “While many Tv series and movies have sometimes touched on the subject matter none has really taken such an honest approach to the problem like MTV Shuga In real life. Here it’s no acting, no script, no false depiction, just real life stories of people dealing with these issues that have plagued our nation. In this season the drama portrays a young girl being sexually abused by older men at a party and a young woman trying to make a career in music only to be raped by a senior figure in the industry. In MTV Shuga IRL, a young woman caught in the world of transactional sex tells of being drugged and abused.

    “While Nigeria as a nation may not have evolved quickly enough to curb some of these vices that have defined us, one of the highlights of the documentary was seeing people who have been caught up in transactional sex turn a new leaf and change their lives for the better.”

    Though Nigeria is not forefront on this advocacy, organisers of MTV Shuga believe Nigerians are concerned about it, talk about it but it seems we’re not concerned “because we don’t shine the beamlight enough on our own stories of sexual abuse.”

  • Lawyer identifies 4 causes of rape

    A Port Harcourt based lawyer, Mr Kingdom Ifedichukwuezi, says alcohol and drug abuse are responsible for the increasing incidences of rape in the country.
    Ifedichukuwuezi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt on Friday that most of the time rape suspects were on drugs when they committed the offence.
    According to him, “provocative (indecent) dressing ‘’ by some ladies is accountable for the increasing wave of rape in the society.
    “Indecent dressing by some ladies can seduce some men who cannot contain their desire.
    “If ladies dress decently, it will reduce the rape of young ladies,” he said.
    The lawyer noted that the rampant incidences of rape in recent times remained an indication of lack of social values on how women should be treated.
    Ifedichukwuezi regretted declining societal values; hence some members of the public could misbehave without the fear of being sanctioned.
    He added that peer group influence was another factor in incidences of rape.
    Ifedichukwuezi blamed religious institutions for not condemning the crime in churches and mosques.
    He said rather the clerics preached materialism.
    “Churches and Mosques have failed to preach against rape in our society,” he said.
    Ifedichukwuezi noted that rape victims did not speak up or report to the police for fear of stigma by the society.
    “Most men wouldn’t like to marry a lady that was raped for fear of contracting Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs),’’ he added.
    The lawyer, a staff member of Nigeria Legal Aid Council, Rivers branch, said the court process in the country could be long and cumbersome.
    He attributed the seventh causative factor unemployment and advised youths who were more prone to the crime to engage themselves in meaningful ventures. (NAN)

  • Man, 32, remanded for raping wife’s sister

    An Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court on Thursday remanded one Ademola Ojomu in prison custody over alleged rape of his wife’s younger sister.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mr P. E. Nwaka, ordered Ojomu, 32, to be remanded in Kirikiri Prisons, while the case file was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for advice.

    Nwaka adjourned the case until June 26 for mention.

    The accused, who resides at No 10, Albert St., Palmgroove, Lagos, is being tried for rape.

    Earlier, the Prosecutor, Insp. Christopher John, told the court that the accused committed the offence sometime in 2016 at his residence.

    Read Also: Court remands three politicians in Lagos over alleged murder

    He said that the victim had been staying with her sister and her husband since 2016 and that the accused had been having sexual intercourse with the 15-year-old girl since then.

    “Ojomu had been sexually assaulting the girl on different occasions whenever his wife was not around, raping her.

    “The case was reported at the police station and the accused was arrested for questioning,’’the prosecutor said.

    NAN reports that the offence contravenes Section 260 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

  • Man breaks court window, stabs self after bagging life imprisonment for rape

    There was drama at an Ekiti State High Court on Friday after one Ajewole Dada Fulani was sentenced to life imprisonment for rape.

    Ajewole, 24, was standing trial for robbing, kidnapping and raping two female students of the College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti on November 7, 2015 along Ikere-Igbara Odo Road.

    The verdict was handed down by Justice John Adeyeye who held that the prosecution has proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.

    The convict became furious and restless after the judgment was interpreted to him by the court registrar.

    Consequently, he hit the court window, broke the louvers and stabbed himself with it. He also tried to stab other people in the courtroom.

    It took the intervention of security personnel to restrain the convict and prevent him from injuring other people in the courtroom. He was subsequently handcuffed and bundled into a waiting Black Maria vehicle.

    Findings revealed that, Ajewole, on the day of the incident, gave the two college students a ride in his commercial vehicle but he veered into the bush, where he tied them to a tree and raped them one after the other.

    The victims later escaped from the scene and reported the incident at the Ikere Police Station along College Road.

    Ajewole was first arraigned at an Ado-Ekiti Magistrate’s Court, but the case was transferred to the High Court at

  • Rising cases of underage rape in Ijebu-Ode

    SIR: Rape as we used to know it, was an act between two adults but usually initiated by a male against the female gender. Though this is not to say women do not engineer the action but it is rare.

    It is however disheartening to hear cases of rape against underage children and even babies in towns and cities across Nigeria today.

    During my National Youth Service days, I had the awful experience of listening to a young girl of four years narrate to her mother:  “Mummy when you are not around, Brother Taju fi kokoro won simi labe.”

    This is literally translates to: Brother Taju inserted his worm underneath underneath me while you were out! What a smart little girl! Though she may not understand the gravity of her statement, she sure set the community abuzz immediately.

    As expected, Brother Taju denied but the point had been made enough for Mummy to keep her little girl as far away from Brother Taju as possible. Moral: Mothers must teach their little girls early to ‘tell.’

    Another ugly baby rape experience happened in my neighbourhood. I had gone to visit friend in a hospital in Ijebu-Ode Ogun State where a medical doctor on duty narrated his experience in the town.

    According to the medical practitioner, at least five cases of under-age girl child rape cases are recorded in a week. This surely calls for urgent attention. As the discussion progress,causes of infant rape were adduced to include: inordinate sexual gratification, ritual purposes, parental negligence, nature of parental profession, among others.

    It was also agree that prevention of child rape is always the best cure. The most important preventive mechanism lies with the parent/guardian being vigilant. In fact extraordinary kind of vigilance is recommended today especially for the girl child.nurturing. For the sake of your underage daughter’s hymen; you must not send them errands at odd hours, you must teach the habit of sitting appropriately, you must tell them not to sit on any boy’s lap, you must ensure they do not form unnecessary bond with an older/elderly man in the neighbourhood. Beware of men calling your daughters their wife, they may begin to take it serious.

    We also expect community elders and community leaders in Ijebu Ode to consciously rise and campaign against the rising cases of rape in our beautiful town.

     

    • Obileye Abolaji A, Ijebu.