Court remands man in prison over alleged rape

An Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday remanded a suspected rapist, Solomon Adetunji, 30, in prison custody over alleged rape of a nine-year-old girl.

Police prosecutor, Emmanuel David, told the court that the accused committed the offence on November 14, 2013 at about 3p.m. in Ifaki-Ekiti of Ido-Osi Local Government Area.

He alleged that the accused had on the fateful day raped the minor and this led to her being hospitalised.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the offence contravened Section 31(2) of the Child Rights Act, Laws of Ekiti State, 2007.

The prosecutor added that he had sent the case file to the Office of the Directorate of Public Prosecution for legal advice.

The plea of the accused was not taken due to the nature of the offence.

However, the defence counsel, Mr. Chris Omokhafe, prayed the court to grant bail to his client as the two parties were trying to settle the matter amicably.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr. Simeon Ojo, expressed concern at the increasing incidents of rape in the state.

“I must say that I am particularly worried at the growing trend of offences of rape, indecent assault and unlawful carnal knowledge in this state.

“I find it hard to accept the prayer of the defence counsel for bail for the accused person,’’ he added.

Ojo ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody pending receipt of the DPP’s legal advice.

The chief magistrate adjourned the case till December5, 2013 for further hearing.

Source

Women need workplace security –Ezekwesili

Former Minister of Education, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili
| credits: File copy

Former Minister of Education, Mrs. Obiageli Ezekwesili, on Thursday said there was a need for workplace security for women.

She made this statement while criticising the commercialisation of women in the banking sector during a panel discussion on Gender Based Violence, organised by Project Alert on Violence Against Women, a non- governmental organisation.

Ezekwesili said, “It is terrible what so many women are going through in the banking sector in the name of getting deposits. There has to be workplace security for women and the government has to enact family friendly and economic policies that would help check this trend.

“An abused woman can never attain her potential in life; she is already devalued in her mindset. Once a woman is abused, the society is abused.”

Ezekwesili, who is also a former Vice-President of the World Bank’s Africa Division, attributed the rise in GBV to the culture of silence in the society and called for partnership involving all stakeholders.

“A problem not dealt with is a problem that has been accepted. There should be shared partnership between the civil society, the government, private sector and the family in ending GBV,” Ezekwesili added.

Executive Director of Project Alert, Dr. Jospehine Effah-Chukwuma, while presenting the panellists for the discussion, said, “The statistics on GBV are a frightening revelation because children below the age of 17 are at risk, and that is why we had to do the report and publish it.”

A motivational speaker and counsellor, Mr. Praise Fowowe, raised the alarm on the increasing number of boys who were being violated and sodomised in the society.

He said, “More boys are being violated than ever before. This year alone, I have counselled many six-year-old boys that had been sodomised. The sexual abuse of boys is not what people talk about, but it is happening. Men who are sexually abused often grow up to do same if not counselled.

“Violence against women is on the rise because of cultural and religious lining. When a woman is not allowed to speak in the church, it sends the signal to men that they are inferior. When they are told to seat at the back in places of worship while the men seat in front, the same mentality is perpetuated.

“Men need to be mentored and groomed to respect women. We need to protect the girl child. I also urge women to stand against wife beaters; any man who beats a woman doesn’t need one. Once he has been identified, other women should not marry him. You don’t prove your manhood by beating women.”

The event, which was held to commemorate 16 days activism against GBV, also featured the presentation of a book by Project Alert, ‘Sexual Violence in Nigeria: A Silent Epidemic’.

Special Adviser to the Ogun State Government on Millennium Goals, Mrs. Hafsat Abiola- Costello, while reviewing the book, said the task of ending GBV could not be done without the support of men.

Other personalities present at the event were the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs. Risikat Akiyode, representing the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire; Nollywood actress, Rita Dominic; Clinical psychologist and psychotherapist, Dr. Maymunah Kadiri; an entrepreneur and survivor of sexual violence, Miss Emmanuella Braide; and Director of Dansol Schools, Mrs. Adun Akinyemiju.

Source

Applicant arraigned for alleged rape of housewife

An applicant, Joseph Amos, on Friday appeared before an Ejigbo Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, for allegedly raping a married woman.

Amos, 23, who resides in the Ikotun Area of Lagos, was arraigned on four counts of conspiracy, unlawful carnal knowledge, sexual assault and stealing.

The Prosecutor, Femi Adeleye, told the court that the accused conspired with another accused earlier charged with raping the same woman to commit the offence.

Adeleye said the offence was committed on June 16 in a house on Ariwa Street, Council Bus Stop, Ikotun, a suburb of Lagos.

He said the accused persons conspired to have unlawful carnal knowledge of their victim and stole N4, 000 from their victim.

The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 258, 285, 261 and 409 of the Criminal Code of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Magistrate, Mr P.E. Nwaka, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.

Source

Teenagers arraigned for alleged rape of minor

Two teenagers have been dragged before an Abule-Egba magistrate’s court over an allegation that they raped a 14-year-old girl.

19-year-old, Tunde Fatunbi, and 16-year-old schoolboy, whose name was not disclosed, were dragged before the court on Wednesday.

They were arraigned on a two-count charge of rape and conspiracy along with the 16-year-old student.

Fatunbi, an artisan, lives at No: 19 Saidu Toriola Street, Aboru, Lagos.

Police prosecutor, Inspector Rachael Williams, said the student, a neighbour to the minor, collected N50 from her and told her to come to Fatunbi residence to collect it.

Williams submitted that both accused raped the minor when she went to the residence to collect the money.

“Unknowingly, she went to the house, and as soon as she entered the room, the first accused (Fatunbi), who hid himself in a room, shut the door, and they raped her.

“The accused covered the girl’s mouth with a cloth so that her screaming will not be heard,” she said.

Williams said that the cry of the minor, however, attracted the attention of neighbours, who reported the case to the police.

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

Section 137 says that any person who has sexual intercourse with a minor is guilty of a felony and liable to imprisonment for life.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.

The Magistrate, Mr. Tajudeen Elias, granted them bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties each.

He adjourned the case to December 16, 2013  for mention.

Source

Project Alert Organizes Panel Discussion & Presentation Of Books

Project Alert commemorates the annual global event known as 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence with a PANEL DISCUSSION & PRESENTATION OF BOOKS.

Date: Thursday November, 28th 2013

Venue: 2nd Floor, Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) Conference and Exhibition Centre,

Plot 10 Dr. Nurudeen Olowopopo Way, (Beside MKO Garden Alausa), Ikeja-Alausa

Time: 10am

Chief Host: Her Excellency, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire

Deputy Governor Lagos State

Special Guest: Dr. Oby Ezekwesili

Book Reviewer: Hafsat Abiola Costello

Panelists: Dr. Maymunah Kadiri, Praise Fowowe, Emmanuella Braide

Anchor: Kate Henshaw

Why would a policeman rape a two-year-old?

Azuka Onwuka
| credits: File copy

The Senate recently discussed the alleged rape of a two-year-old baby girl, Chinwendu Onwudiwe, by a police corporal, Mr. Anthony Onoja, in Mararaba, Nasarawa State. The senators who spoke during that session were not just angry but horrified.

The police had come under attack for allegedly shielding the accused officer from justice several months after the act. But the police spokesman, Mr. Frank Mba, responded that the police were not shielding him, but had sacked him and charged him to court.

This case got more attention because the Nigerian Television Authority in its Newsline programme had reported it and had been giving updates on it every Sunday. Secondly, the crime was allegedly committed by a law enforcement officer.  Paedophilia or rape of children has become a regular occurrence in our land. Almost every day, newspapers report cases of rape against children by adults.

What is fuelling the paedophilia in our land? What would make an adult to be sexually attracted to a child of two or five? Not surprising, the dictionary defines paedophilia as a psychiatric problem.

I don’t know if there is a sharp rise in paedophilia or that parents of victims now prefer to go to press unlike before when such crimes were kept secret because of the stigma victims and their family members suffer. Annoyingly, every time these sick men are caught, they claim that it is the work of the devil. One wonders why they always notice this so-called devil only after committing the crime.

The most frustrating thing about these rape cases is that the offenders, even after arrest, hardly ever get punished. Even when they get sentenced, their sentences are nothing more than a slap on the wrist. Interestingly, Sections 31 and 32 of the Child Rights Act make the case a criminal offence with a penalty of life imprisonment or 14 years in jail, depending on the nature of abuse.

It is as if our society does not see the rape of children or minors as a serious crime. That explains why our judges too seem to see it as “a minor offence” or “a mistake.” Most times, offenders are given the go-and-sin-no-more treatment by the law courts. But a paedophile cannot go home and sin no more. He is not in control of his faculties. He will look for the next child to defile, and he will continue raping children until he is caught again. A paedophile can only be kept away from children by being in prison, or being castrated. The third option is miraculous healing, which cannot be dismissed as impossible, even though the percentage may be infinitesimal.

The irony is that the people who prey on these little ones are those whom they trust the most: uncles, teachers, religious guides, instructors (of sports, music, dance, etc).

Children, especially the girl children, who are more vulnerable, need more protection from the law and parents. Parents must not trust anybody completely with their little ones. Paedophiles don’t bear any signs on their foreheads. On the contrary, they are the coolest, gentlest, quietest, most genial and seemingly most harmless men around. Children love to play with them because they “love” children. That is the cloak of deception they use to gain the trust of parents and children. But this does not mean that any adult who is good to children is a potential paedophile. It is just a warning that since there is no way to differentiate between a paedophile and a good guy, one needs to be extra cautious.

Parents must not allow their little girls to sit on the lap of any “uncle”. No man should also be allowed to call any little girl “my wife”. Little girls must not also be allowed to go into an apartment where an adult or teenage boy lives. It does not matter if such a man or teenager lives with other people. The danger is that he can hatch a plot to be home alone at any time just to lure the little girl in by telling her to buy something for him or to come in and see a film.

But most importantly, children, especially girls, need sex education, closeness to their parents, freedom from fear, martial arts training, and other things that will equip them against predators. The amount of sex education a child should receive at any given time depends on the child’s age. As the child grows, the sex education deepens. But the basics are to let the child know: “My body belongs to me, and nobody has any right to touch any part of my body or undress me without my permission. And whenever anybody attempts such, I must say no in a loud voice and report to my parents.”

Paedophiles use blackmail to get their victims and keep them quiet. Expressions like these are common: “If you don’t allow me, I will tell your daddy/mummy that you stole some biscuits or broke the plate yesterday”. “If you tell your daddy/mummy what I have done to you, you and your daddy and mummy will die.” Parents who rule their children with fear and intimidation and parents who rarely discuss with their children will never gain a child’s confidence to make her say certain things that happened when the parents were away.

Rape psychologically affects a child for life. An adult that was raped during childhood may become a danger to society if not properly treated. Victims need to be given psychological therapy by an expert, not just prayers. Our people have not understood the need for psycho-therapy for people who have gone through traumatic experiences like Rape Trauma Syndrome. We always believe that once such issues are hidden or prayed over, that is the end. But in addition to prayers, victims of rape should be given professional psycho-therapy so that they will heal and continue their lives normally.

Parents must protect their children from seeing movies that are rated 16, including music videos that promote eroticism. Unfortunately, most of these music videos are played during lunch time and evening time when children watch TV, especially when they are home during the holidays.  The National Broadcasting Commission should start rating music videos just like movies and ensure that those rated 16 are not shown till 10 pm.

Parents must also ensure that their little children are not unusually exposed to the Internet. Preys lurk there. The mobile phone is also another source through which paedophiles get their young victims.

Furthermore, we must stop blaming victims or stigmatising them. Any time someone is raped, the tendency in our clime is to blame the victim. Blaming the victim in whatever form worsens the trauma faced by the victim. Rapists do not need any provocation to attack their victims.

Also, we must not join in covering offenders because of the need to protect the “family’s name”. Any paedophile shielded from punishment is a threat to other girls.

One reason why rape is rising in our clime is that rape victims are stigmatised. This makes victims or their families unwilling to disclose their identity. Ironically, the rapists are sometimes regarded as heroes while the victim is stigmatised. Most times, the victims refuse to report the crime to the police.

The penalty for rape must be made severe. Some have suggested that convicted rapists be chemically castrated to avoid a repeat, as is done in some states in the United States, Israel, and Argentina. Chemical castration has been shown to be effective especially for rapists who have no control over their sexual urge. These are rapists who, no matter what punishment they get, any time they have the freedom to be with some potential victims, they will still lose control and rape them. Chemical castration, which is actually a misnomer, does not really castrate people nor sterilise people; rather it is a drug administered to reduce a person’s libido and sexual activity.

PUNCH

Bicycle repairer rapes, strangles 10-year-old cousin

The police in Osun State have arrested a bicycle repairer, Rafiu Idowu,  at Ile Ogbo, Osun State, for allegedly raping his cousin, identified as Tawa Bilawu, and killing her.

Our correspondent gathered on Saturday that the 26-year-old suspect invited the 10-year-old victim to his residence and dragged the girl to his room where he forcefully had sex with her and strangled her in the process.

However, the suspect who is also a labourer at a block industry, in a confessional statement he made to the police, admitted that although he strangled the victim, it was Tawa that raped him.

Idowu said that his cousin who had come to visit him suddenly grabbed him and dragged him into the room from the passage and put his manhood into her private part.

He said that Tawa started shouting after some minutes of sexual intercourse and he strangled her.

The confessional statement made available by the police read in part, “Tawa Bilawu met me at the passage of my house when she came. Then I asked Tawa Bilawu where she was going and she said that somebody sent her on an errand.

“Then Tawa Bilawu dragged me inside my room where she removed my trouser while both of us were on bed, then Tawa Bilawu put my penis into her private part and started shouting.

“I asked her why she raised the alarm. She began to shout and scream after two minutes of sexual intercourse between Tawa  and myself.

“While she was still shouting, I got hold of her neck and nose while I pressed it till she died.”

Idowu, however, gave a contradicting report of the incident in the latter part of the statement. He claimed that he had not had sex with the kid when the incident happened.

He said that Tawa struggled with him to free herself but he overpowered her eventually.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Folasade Odoro said that the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Mr. Mohammed Jimoh, arrested the suspect.

She said that the Commissioner of Police, Mrs. Dorothy Gimba, had directed that the  suspect should be arraigned since he had confessed to killing his cousin.

Source: PUNCH

Woman, 46, allegedly raped, killed

ADO EKITI – A  46-year old woman, Mrs. Eunice Titilayo Ogundele, was allegedly raped then murdered at Igede Ekiti, weekend, by yet to be identified persons.

According to the  husband of the deceased, Mr.Michael Ogundele, his wife left home in the early hours of Friday  for a church service at her  pastor’s residence.

He said she was allegedly hit with a pestle on the head by her assailants on the way.

Ogundele in tears said:  “Yesterday (Thursday) which was a market day, she went to the market and returned home to rest.

“This morning (Friday), we went our different ways after I opened the door a little after five o’clock. She left  for an early morning church  service at her pastor’s residence.

“We went our separate ways at Igede-Ado road. I did not know I was seeing her for the last time. Few minutes to six they called me to come to somewhere in the town. I went and met my wife dead with two deep wounds on her head.”

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr. Victor Olu Babayemi, who confirmed the incident said a suspect has been arrested and is making confessions.

Babayemi said: “I can confirm that someone is now in custody in respect of the rape and murder of a woman at Igede Ekiti and is making useful confessions.

“We are trying to see if other arrests could be made in the course of the investigation which is ongoing.”

Source: Vanguard

Man rapes, kills 10-yr-old cousin

OSOGBO — A 26-year-old man, Rafiu Idowu, is being detained by the Osun State Police Command for allegedly killing his 10-year-old cousin, Tawa Bilawu, after he allegedly raped her.
Idowu who confessed to have committed the offence, said the victim lured him into raping her when she paid a visit to him at his family residence at Ile-Ogbo in Ayedire Local Government Area of the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, for the state Police Command, Mrs Folashade Odoro, said the suspect, who is currently in Police custody, was arrested by a team of detectives from the State Criminal Investigations Department, SCID, led by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr Mohammed Jimoh.
According to the PPRO, the suspect who recently returned to the state from Lagos also smokes indian hemp.
The police claimed the suspect admitted that the deceased was his relative who pays him regular visit at his residence, adding that the late Bilawu was known to every member of his family.
The suspect said: “Tawa Bilawu met me at the passage of my house when she came to visit me on that fateful day. I asked her where she was going and she said somebody sent her somewhere but she decided to check on me.
“Bilawu later dragged me into my room where she removed my trousers and both of us went on bed. Then, Bilawu put my penis into her private part and started shouting.  I then asked her the reason for the alarm.
“The alarm raised by Bilawu was after two minutes of sexual intercourse between us. When she started shouting, I got hold of her neck and nose and pressed them till she died.”
He admitted that the late Bilawu never had intercourse with him prior to the one that led to her death.
The state Commissioner of Police, Mrs Dorothy Gimba, has however directed that the case be investigated and the suspect arraigned.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/11/man-rapes-kills-10-yr-old-cousin/#sthash.EDecWrrS.dpuf

OSOGBO — A 26-year-old man, Rafiu Idowu, is being detained by the Osun State Police Command for allegedly killing his 10-year-old cousin, Tawa Bilawu, after he allegedly raped her.
Idowu who confessed to have committed the offence, said the victim lured him into raping her when she paid a visit to him at his family residence at Ile-Ogbo in Ayedire Local Government Area of the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, for the state Police Command, Mrs Folashade Odoro, said the suspect, who is currently in Police custody, was arrested by a team of detectives from the State Criminal Investigations Department, SCID, led by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr Mohammed Jimoh.
According to the PPRO, the suspect who recently returned to the state from Lagos also smokes indian hemp.
The police claimed the suspect admitted that the deceased was his relative who pays him regular visit at his residence, adding that the late Bilawu was known to every member of his family.
The suspect said: “Tawa Bilawu met me at the passage of my house when she came to visit me on that fateful day. I asked her where she was going and she said somebody sent her somewhere but she decided to check on me.
“Bilawu later dragged me into my room where she removed my trousers and both of us went on bed. Then, Bilawu put my penis into her private part and started shouting.  I then asked her the reason for the alarm.
“The alarm raised by Bilawu was after two minutes of sexual intercourse between us. When she started shouting, I got hold of her neck and nose and pressed them till she died.”
He admitted that the late Bilawu never had intercourse with him prior to the one that led to her death.
The state Commissioner of Police, Mrs Dorothy Gimba, has however directed that the case be investigated and the suspect arraigned.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/11/man-rapes-kills-10-yr-old-cousin/#sthash.EDecWrrS.dpuf

OSOGBO — A 26-year-old man, Rafiu Idowu, is being detained by the Osun State Police Command for allegedly killing his 10-year-old cousin, Tawa Bilawu, after he allegedly raped her.

Idowu who confessed to have committed the offence, said the victim lured him into raping her when she paid a visit to him at his family residence at Ile-Ogbo in Ayedire Local Government Area of the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, for the state Police Command, Mrs Folashade Odoro, said the suspect, who is currently in Police custody, was arrested by a team of detectives from the State Criminal Investigations Department, SCID, led by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr Mohammed Jimoh.

According to the PPRO, the suspect who recently returned to the state from Lagos also smokes indian hemp.

The police claimed the suspect admitted that the deceased was his relative who pays him regular visit at his residence, adding that the late Bilawu was known to every member of his family.

The suspect said: “Tawa Bilawu met me at the passage of my house when she came to visit me on that fateful day. I asked her where she was going and she said somebody sent her somewhere but she decided to check on me.

“Bilawu later dragged me into my room where she removed my trousers and both of us went on bed. Then, Bilawu put my penis into her private part and started shouting.  I then asked her the reason for the alarm.

“The alarm raised by Bilawu was after two minutes of sexual intercourse between us. When she started shouting, I got hold of her neck and nose and pressed them till she died.”

He admitted that the late Bilawu never had intercourse with him prior to the one that led to her death.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mrs Dorothy Gimba, has however directed that the case be investigated and the suspect arraigned.

Source: Vanguard

Man bags six-month imprisonment over attempted rape

A Zuba Grade 1 Area Court on Tuesday sentenced Isaac Joseph, 21, of Kaduna State to six-month imprisonment for attempted rape.

Joseph was charged with criminal force, assault, theft and an attempt to commit rape.

The presiding officer of the court, Mallam Alhassan Kusherki, passed the sentence on Joseph after he pleaded guilty to the three counts.

Prosecutor, Corporal Momoh Ibrahim, told the court that the complainant, Jamila Musa of Kano State, on November 30, 2013, reported the case at Zuba Police Station.

The prosecutor said Musa reported that Joseph stopped her at Zuba while she was on her way to Abuja,  beat her up and made away with her N2,100 in cash and her Nokia phone valued N4, 000.  He said that but for the timely intervention of some good Samaritans Joseph would have succeeded in raping her.

The prosecutor said that the said money and phone were recovered from the convict during police investigation.

PUNCH

Man, 47, gets N300, 000 bail over alleged rape of 4-yr-old

LAGOS — An Apapa Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, yesterday, slammed a bail of N300, 000 on a 47-year-old man, Orire Agidiogun, who allegedly raped a four-year-old child.

In addition, the Chief Magistrate, Mrs Oluyemisi Adelaja, ordered that the accused should produce two sureties, who must show evidence of tax payment to Lagos State Government.

She said the sureties should also be blood relations of the accused.

The accused, who resides at 51, Ifesowapo St., Maracana in Olodi-Apapa area of Lagos, is facing a three-count charge bordering on rape, and unlawful detention.

Agidiogun pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Insp. Soji Ojaokomo, had told the court that the accused committed the offences at 10.00 p.m. on October 8 at his apartment.

According to him, the accused lured the minor to his room, where he had carnal knowledge of her.

He said: “The accused was caught when the mother heard her daughter’s cry and she quickly alerted people around, who helped to apprehend him. The woman later reported the case to the police.”

Ojaokomo noted that the offences contravened Sections 135, 137 and 144 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused, if convicted, may be sentenced to life imprisonment.

Further hearing in the case was adjourned to November 14.

VANGUARD

Court remands teenagers over gang-rape

An Ibadan Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting at Iyaganku on Monday remanded two teenagers, Yekini Kazeem (18) and Ifeanyi Ezekiel (18) for allegedly raping a 17-year-old girl.

Kazeem and Ezekiel were arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy and rape.

The prosecutor, Corporal James Oriola, told the court that Kazeem and Ezekiel with others now at large conspired to rape the victim on October 14, 2013 at about 8:30pm in Ijokodo Agbaje area of Ibadan.

Oriola said the girl was on an errand for her grandmother when the accused pounced on her.

He added that the offence contravened sections 357, 516 and punishable under section 358 of the Criminal Code Cap. 38, Volume II; Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

The plea of the accused was not taken.

Chief Magistrate Risikat Ebeloku Mustapha ordered the accused to be remanded in Agodi prison, pending the outcome of a legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecution.

Ebeloku-Mustapha adjourned the case till November 26, 2013 for mention.

Punch

Addressing rising epidemic of rape cases

CITIZEN Janet is dead. The 18-year-old lady committed suicide a few days after she was gang-raped by three young men at gunpoint last month in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. As it usually happens in these dastardly offences, the perpetrators are walking free. Their escape from justice thus emboldens prospective rapists to commit more of such offences, knowing that the likelihood of being punished is slim. As a nation, the government has to show more interest in the growing epidemic of sexual violence and violation of minors in the country.

Rape – described as a man having a carnal knowledge of a woman without her consent went largely unreported in the past because of the stigma the society associated with the act. But it is not so anymore. Last week, Jude Uchendu, a consultant pathologist in the Central Hospital, Benin, Edo State, sounded the alarm that the hospital recorded more than 80 rape cases from March to mid-October this year alone. Bad enough, 90 per cent of rape cases are committed by people close to and trusted by the victims, people such as neighbours and relations. Sometimes, those who ought to protect the children are their tormentors as was the case when a police corporal recently raped a two-year-old girl in Mararaba, Nasarawa State.

While the offenders are allowed to go scot-free, the victims are left with lifelong trauma, inability to forge meaningful relations with the opposite sex, unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. And because of the unhelpful way the police attend to rape victims who are bold enough to report their ordeal, many cases don’t get to court or when they do, the trial lasts forever. The government, the law enforcement agencies and the judiciary, should wake up and fashion new ways of ensuring that rape offenders are punished for their crime. Only last week, the police in Ekiti State arrested a 34-year-old man for allegedly raping his neighbour’s 13-year-old daughter to death on the farm where the two families were working. In Jos, Plateau State, the police arrested five men for gang-raping a nine-year-old girl, and a native doctor who raped his 14-year-old female patient. This is cruel, and the offenders must face the wrath of the law.

Although there is no national law against rape in the United States, many states there constantly review their laws and update them in line with 21st Century developments. However, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation tracks every rape case as a matter of records. Our advocacy groups, NGOs and private individuals should mobilise the public to ensure that rape offenders face justice. This is what happened in India when six men gang-raped a 23-year-old woman last year on a bus. A nationwide protest by the populace after the incident forced the Indian authorities to tighten the laws. Strikingly, the trial lasted only seven months, with four of the offenders handed the death penalty in September. Nigerian authorities should follow such an example. Trials must be completed on time. This will at least assure the victims that their attackers are going to face punishment. Relevant laws should be fully enforced, and, if necessary, reviewed with a view to making them more stringent.

Strengthening the anti-rape laws will encourage more victims to come forward, as it has happened in India after the reform of the rape law and the convictions of the gang-rapists. However, the figures we have now are not representative of the growing menace of rapists. “This figure (over 80 cases in seven months) is only a tip of the iceberg because most of the people that are raped don’t come to the hospital to complain. The few victims that come to the hospital don’t pursue the matter as a legal case,” added Uchendu. Police officers at crime desks across the country have to be more helpful when victims of rape come forward to report attacks.

The rising cases of violation of children by adults, called paedophilia, deserve strong measures. These days, “trusted uncles,” teachers and even clerics – some fake – have been found to be major culprits. Last week, a “pastor” was arraigned before an Abuja High Court for allegedly sexually violating three primary school pupils. The innocent victims were aged between seven and nine. This is dangerous, alarming and evil, but it is happening almost on a daily basis across the country. While adults can offer some resistance, children cannot and lecherous adults take advantage of their vulnerability. Paedophilia is a grievous crime the society has to deal with. In Europe and the US for example, law enforcement agencies compile data banks on known or suspected paedophiles so that they can be easily tracked. Furthermore, paedophiles are required by law to inform the authorities when they are travelling out of their base, or when they are moving to another community. This is the way for Nigeria to go.

To stem the tide, women affairs and social welfare departments at the federal, state and local government levels have to start enlightenment campaigns to alert parents and their children to this crime and how to avoid being violated. Parents also have to spend more time with their children, be closer to them and teach them about sex education early in life, as being advocated by Mediacon, a Lagos-based NGO. The campaign should be intense and sustained; it should warn prospective offenders that severe punishment awaits them.

Punch

16-yr-old girl raped to coma in Ogun

ABEOKUTA — A 16-year-old girl (name withheld) has been reportedly hospitalised after she was allegedly raped to coma by some unknown men in  Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
Vanguard gathered that the incident occurred at 8p.m. on Monday on her way back home from where she was sent on an errand.
According  to a popular actress (name withheld) who broke the news through her post on the Facebook: “A-16-year-old girl from Abeokuta in Ogun State was sent on errand last night (Monday) around 8 p.m.  to the nearby street.
“On her way back home,  hefty men ambushed her and got  her raped till coma. As we are posting this right now,  she is lying in sick bed at Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta.”
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/11/16-yr-old-girl-raped-coma-ogun/#sthash.Zzyw2FIF.dpuf

 ABEOKUTA — A 16-year-old girl (name withheld) has been reportedly hospitalised after she was allegedly raped to coma by some unknown men in  Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

Vanguard gathered that the incident occurred at 8p.m. on Monday on her way back home from where she was sent on an errand.

According  to a popular actress (name withheld) who broke the news through her post on the Facebook: “A-16-year-old girl from Abeokuta in Ogun State was sent on errand last night (Monday) around 8 p.m.  to the nearby street.

“On her way back home,  hefty men ambushed her and got  her raped till coma. As we are posting this right now,  she is lying in sick bed at Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta.”

- vanguard

Two-year-old rape: Randy cop dismissed, arraigned, say police

A Police Corporal, Anthony Onoja, who is alleged to have raped a two-year-old girl at Kabayi area of Mararaba in Nasarawa State, has been dismissed from service.

This was contained in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja by the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, a Chief Superintendent of Police.

The statement said Onoja was dismissed on September 13, contrary to the reports “of the complacency of the Force in handling the case’.”

He said, “Contrary to these false and clearly twisted facts, the Nigeria Police have since September 13, 2013, dismissed Cpl Anthony Onoja.

“The ex-policeman, who allegedly raped a minor at Kabayi area of Mararaba in Nasarawa State, was charged to a Nasarawa High Court, on September 15, 2013, for the offence of rape, under Charge sheet No NSD/77C/2013.

“The suspect was dismissed after an in-house administrative disciplinary panel (Orderly Room) indicted him for the disciplinary offences of discreditable conduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.”

The statement said the dismissal of the officer followed a full scale criminal investigation conducted by the Anti-Human Rights Section of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Police Command in Nasarawa State.

“The case diary was subsequently forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Nasarawa State Ministry of Justice, for legal advice.

“Based on the advice of the DPP, Anthony Onoja was charged to High Court 3 in Nasarawa State.
“The prosecution of the ex-police Cpl is being conducted by the Office of the DPP and is ongoing,” it said.

Source: Punch

Man rapes girl, 13, to death on cocoa plantation

Men of the Ekiti State Police Command have arrested a suspected rapist identified simply as Sunday in Eyio Ekiti in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area.

Sunday, 34, allegedly raped a 13-year old girl to death in Ekiti on Monday.

The suspected rapist, from Cross River State, reportedly tricked his victim, whose parents were his co-labourers, into a Cocoa plantation where she was raped.

The girl died in the processed. The suspect was detained at the Police headquarters in Ado Ekiti, while the corpse of the girl was deposited at the morgue of Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital.

It was gathered that Sunday and the victim’s parents were labourers with a farmer (name not disclosed).

The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Victor Babayemi, said the suspect was being detained at the Criminal Investigations Department in Ado Ekiti.

It was learnt that the residents of the village searched for the girl for three days before finding her decomposing body in the cocoa plantation.

A source, who hinted that the two went to the farm on Monday, said, “When the parents of the girl could not find their child around 8pm on Monday, the Eyio-in-Council  held a meeting and insisted that a search party should look for her.

“They later contacted the Police. The police perceived an odour  and traced the girl to the spot where they found her lifeless body with thick blood in her private part.”

Sunday was said to have confessed to the crime before being handed over to the police.

Source: Punch

Can a man rape his wife?

When two people come together to get married, they make a vow to become one. In some cases where dowries are paid, some men believe they have full rights to their wives including the right to have sex whenever it pleases them with or without their wives’ consent. But how far do these rights go? Saturday PUNCH asked people if it was possible for a man to rape his wife.

Sex has to do with consent

Ohi Oyakhire

Yes, a man can rape his wife because the two parties have to consent to having sex. The moment the wife is not interested in having sex and the man uses all possible means to have sex with her, then it automatically becomes rape. Unless the woman agrees, if a man forces his way, it can be termed as rape.

Rape has to do with force

Aminat Okunnuga

A man can rape his wife because rape has to do with force. There should always be an agreement between a man and his wife before sex. If there is no agreement between them, then we can call that rape. So most times, wives have no other option than to allow their husbands have their way even if they are not in the mood.

Yes, a man can rape his wife

Tunde Alabi

It is possible for a man to rape his wife because if the man feels like it and the lady does not feel like it, then if the man ends up forcing his wife to have sex, it will be counted as rape. This is because sex has to do with the man and the wife coming together to agree.

 It is an offence against nature and God

Moyosoreoluwa Aregbesola

Yes, a man can rape his wife. Sometimes when a man is sexually aroused and he’s too weak to control the urge, it can lead him to rape his wife. But this is an offence against nature and God, because both of them have not agreed to have sex at that moment. God created sex for the couple to enjoy and for them to also come together as one body. However,  if this is not respected by the man, it becomes rape.

 Selfish sex is rape

Dele Osho

Normally, this has to do with both the man and his wife coming as one to agree and satisfy themselves. But if it is not the aim of the man to also satisfy his wife, then we can call it rape. For instance, the man might be in the mood while the wife is not, but if the man wants this for his satisfaction alone and not for his wife’s since she’s not agreeing to it at that moment, then it is rape.

A lot of rape cases in marriage Adetayo Ojelabi

Apparently, a man can be said to have raped his wife. The wife might have declined to have sex with him probably because they had a disagreement. So if she says ‘no’ and the man forces himself on her, we can call it rape.

 Sex should be a mutual agreement

Kehinde Akinbo

Sex is supposed to be mutually agreed between the two parties, and normally the man is meant to prepare his wife for this action. Because of the nature of women, men are meant to make their sexual needs known to their women. With this in mind, the woman will know and will accept. But if the man insists on going for the action without preparing and waiting for the wife to be ready or accept, then it is rape.

Rape,  whether in marriage or not, is a crime

Gbemisola Adegoke

Rape simply means having sexual intercourse with someone  without his or her consent. It is not right for a man to rape his wife but men do it under various circumstances. Rape to me is a crime and therefore has no legal backing. Women are often raped by their husbands but due to ignorance or sometimes because they are trying to protect their husbands, they keep quiet. Though, I still think that rape can be minimised between couples if wives try to satisfy their husbands sexually.

There is nothing like rape in marriage

Paul Jaja

In my own opinion, it is not possible for a man to rape his wife because normally, the woman is your wife. And as the wife, the man has the right to call on her anytime he wishes. However, the man should also understand the mood of the wife to know when she is ready or not. In short, the man should be understanding.

Sex shouldn’t be done with force

Bola Oni

Having intimacy with the wife should not be done with force. The moment the man forces himself on his wife, definitely, it is rape.

Source: Punch

Prophet in court over attempted rape charge

A 35-year-old prophet, Favour Emmanuel, on Monday appeared before an Ojokoro Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, over an allegation that he attempted to rape a female worshipper (name withheld).

Emmanuel, who resides on Adedokun Street, Baruwa, Ipaja, was arraigned on four-count charge of attempted rape, undressing without consent, breach of peace and provocation.

The prosecutor, Inspector Clara Olagbayi, told the court that the offences were committed at the accused office in Baruwa, Ipaja, on October 21, 2013.

Olagbayi said the complainant went to the prophet for prayer, but the accused assaulted her by undressing her and was about raping her when she cried out for help.

The prosecutor said it was the screaming of the complainant that attracted the neighbours, who rescued her and reported the incident to the police.

She said the offences contravened sections, 134, 185, 188 and 261 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused pleaded not guilty.

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

She adjourned the case to November 29, 2013 for mention.

Punch

Child Rape: Senate Directs IG to Prosecute Police Suspect

The Senate has ordered the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, to prosecute Cpl. Anthony Onoja, for allegedly raping a two-year-old girl in Mararaba, Nasarawa State.
The Senate condemned the act of paedophilia and sexual abuse in its entirety, and mandated the Senate Committee on Police Affairs to investigate it and report back within one week.
The Senate's order followed a motion entitled, ``Cruelty to Infants’’, brought by Sen. Helen Esuene (PDP-Akwa Ibom), on Thursday.
Esuene said the Nigeria Police Force had refused to charge the suspect to court for the alleged sexual assault of the minor.

She noted that under the Child Rights Act, sexual assault was a criminal offence which attracted life or 14 years imprisonment.
Esuene said: “This is not the first time it has been reported in this hallowed chamber of a police officer sexually abusing an infant girl and offenders often go unpunished.”
She called for urgent action to stem this evil.
Sen. Abdul Ningi (PDP-Bauchi) attributed increasing spate of sexual abuse to the neglect of the people’s cultural values.
``For it to be done by a law enforcement officer, it speaks volumes of the negative changes we are having in Africa.
``As long as we don't go back to appreciate our culture and history, we will continue to witness these abnormalities which now place us half way between humans and animals,’’ Ningi said.

Sen. Chris Anyanwu (APGA-Imo) said the police had a tradition of covering up for offenders reported for prosecution, while Sen. Bello Tukur (PDP-Adamawa) wanted police compelled to investigate the matter.

In his contribution, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa (PDP-Delta), called on government agencies to intensify awareness on the Child Rights Act to encourage Nigerians to take precaution.

Okowa said it was the responsibility of government to ensure that the dignity of the children was secured and protected to guide against any abuses.

``We are responsible for protection of the dignity of every child. We must begin to rethink and find our way back to our God,’’ Okowa said.

Sen. Ahmed Lawan (APC-Yobe) said it was ``disappointing’’ that 11 days after the incident was reported, the police was yet to provide any information as to the action it had taken.
Also speaking, Sen. Magnus Abe (PDP-Rivers) advocated the creation of a register for sexual offenders and paedophilia to restrain them from having any contact with children.
Abe decried the impunity with which sexual offences were committed, adding that it was a reflection of the absence of effective law enforcement in the country.
``The problem we are facing has to do with law enforcement as offenders carry on with impunity because the state is weak and ineffective to control this thing.

``We need to tackle the enforcement structure because this is where the problem lies,” Abe added.
Sen. Barnabas Gemade (PDP-Benue) said ``it is only the implementation and enforcement of the law that keeps an organisation running.

``Due to the absence of law enforcement, a policeman can afford to do this kind of thing. There is more protection for a criminal in Nigeria than the innocent,’’ Gemade said.

The Senate President, Sen. David Mark, cautioned against dismissing the issue as a mental case, saying ``even if we tie him to a stake and kill him, it is not enough punishment.

``Crimes are committed all over the world, it is not only in Nigeria.

``The difference is that when our own is committed, we don't get the people who commit them and when we eventually find the people, we don't punish them.

``We should begin to punish people who commit crimes no matter how small or big, irrespective of whom they are.

``I believe that this particular case must attract maximum punishment whatever way we look at it,’’ Mark said.

Mark also expressed disappointment over the failure of the police to provide information on the cause of action it took since the incident was reported.

Source: Daily