Rape: ‘We won’t close orphanage’

MAY 20, 2013 BY COMFORT OSEGHALE LEAVE A COMMENT : The Ogun State Government says it will not close down the Light of Hope Orphanage, Akute, Ogun State, over allegations of sexual abuse against its Director, Mr. Olatayo Atunde. This was made known in a statement on Sunday by the State’s Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Elizabeth Sonubi. She said, “It should be noted that before his remand in prison, the state government had ordered that Atunde should not visit the premises of the orphanage. “His wife who was allowed to take over the management, gave an undertaking not to interfere with the ongoing judicial process or take action which will intimidate the children. “Logistic challenges associated with outright closure of the home should be appreciated. Two officials of the Ministry of Women Affairs have been detailed to constantly monitor the orphanage since the beginning of the case and visit the home every other day.” Atunde was arrested on April 4, 2013 by the Zone 2 police command after he was accused of rape by two minors living at the orphanage. Following the arrest, the girls were handed over to Project Alert, a non-governmental organisation on violence against women. Two weeks later, the Ogun State Government took custody of the girls, but returned them to the orphanage a few days later. PUNCH Metro had on April 30 reported the return of the minors to the orphanage. Four days before the report, Atunde was arraigned at the Ota magistrate’s court on four counts and remanded in Ibara, Abeokuta prison. The case was adjourned until May 30, 2013. Defending government’s decision, Sonubi added, “The children needed to be where they would be comfortable and the orphanage is the only home they have ever known. “Also we don’t want a break in their education; one of them is sitting for the ongoing JSS III examination. “Meanwhile Project Alert, which petitioned the police over the allegation against Atunde, demanded money to accommodate the children. “The relatives of the children invited to take custody of them rejected the offer to take up such responsibilities.” Counsel for Project Alert, Mr. Benjamin Odeh, however refuted the allegation. He said, “I was present at the meeting in Abeokuta when the girls were handed over to the state government. At no time during the meeting was a demand ever made for money. “The girls were already in our care before the government intervened and Project Alert still offered to continue keeping them until they were able to complete their JSS III exams. “If Project Alert demanded money, the Ogun State Government should be able to tell us how much was demanded. This allegation is false. The government is just trying to defend its surprising action.” Source: http://www.punchng.com/metro/rape-we-wont-close-orphanage/