Over 500 child defilement cases reported in Lagos State in 2014, says AG

Lagos – Mr Ade Ipaye, Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, on Wednesday, said over 500 cases of child defilement cases were reported in the state this year.

Ipaye disclosed this at a Human Rights Essay and Debate Competition organised for private and public schools in Lagos by the Directorate for Citizen’s Rights.

The competiotion was part of activities marking the 2014 World Human Rights Day with the theme: “The Rights of the Child.’’

The commissioner said “this year’s theme was carefully picked in the light of the fact that in the last one year, more than 500 cases of defilement of minors were reported in Lagos.

“We know that children contend with several challenges on daily basis, however, the onus is on parents and guardians to ensure that each child is given necessary care and attention.’’

Ipaye said that the principle of human rights should be inculcated in the youths at their earliest formative stage.

He added that this would ensure that youths imbibed the principles of fairness, non-discrimination, inclusiveness and respect for fellow-beings, irrespective of age.

The Lagos State attorney-general said that the success of all the laws and policies protecting the rights of children depended largely on the cooperation of members of the society.

“I will like to use the opportunity of this occasion to enjoin all residents to partner with government in ensuring that the rights of our children are safeguarded,’’ he pleaded.

In her lecture, a human rights lawyer, Mrs Funmi Falana, said that the Child Rights Act 2003 had not been domesticated in 12 states of the federation.

Falana urged government at all levels to intensify efforts at improving the standard of education through effective funding, sound and workable policies.

She said “children’s education in Nigeria is nothing to boast about. Education is beginning to become commercialised.

“Pondering over the state of the Nigerian child, my heart aches because of the environment they are living and the state of their education.

“Some of these children roam the streets with tattered clothes, with no help from any quarter, some do not even believe in education again but I believe all these can be corrected with the help of government.’’ (NAN)

Lagos – Mr Ade Ipaye, Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, on Wednesday, said over 500 cases of child defilement cases were reported in the state this year.
Ipaye disclosed this at a Human Rights Essay and Debate Competition organised for private and public schools in Lagos by the Directorate for Citizen’s Rights.
The competiotion was part of activities marking the 2014 World Human Rights Day with the theme: “The Rights of the Child.’’
The commissioner said “this year’s theme was carefully picked in the light of the fact that in the last one year, more than 500 cases of defilement of minors were reported in Lagos.
“We know that children contend with several challenges on daily basis, however, the onus is on parents and guardians to ensure that each child is given necessary care and attention.’’
Ipaye said that the principle of human rights should be inculcated in the youths at their earliest formative stage.
He added that this would ensure that youths imbibed the principles of fairness, non-discrimination, inclusiveness and respect for fellow-beings, irrespective of age.
The Lagos State attorney-general said that the success of all the laws and policies protecting the rights of children depended largely on the cooperation of members of the society.
“I will like to use the opportunity of this occasion to enjoin all residents to partner with government in ensuring that the rights of our children are safeguarded,’’ he pleaded.
In her lecture, a human rights lawyer, Mrs Funmi Falana, said that the Child Rights Act 2003 had not been domesticated in 12 states of the federation.
Falana urged government at all levels to intensify efforts at improving the standard of education through effective funding, sound and workable policies.
She said “children’s education in Nigeria is nothing to boast about. Education is beginning to become commercialised.
“Pondering over the state of the Nigerian child, my heart aches because of the environment they are living and the state of their education.
“Some of these children roam the streets with tattered clothes, with no help from any quarter, some do not even believe in education again but I believe all these can be corrected with the help of government.’’ (NAN)
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/12/500-child-defilement-cases-reported-lagos-state-2014-says-ag/#sthash.YqZxnNJO.dpuf

Man flees home after raping daughter

The police are on the trail of a 50-year-old man, Vincent Uzor, who is on the run after allegedly raping his 14-year-old daughter.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the victim was raped last week Tuesday in the Ebute Meta area of Lagos State where Uzor lived with his second wife.

It was gathered that the victim’s mother died about seven years ago after which she started living with her grandmother.

However, when the old woman became plagued with ill health, she was said to have been taken to the Ogijo area of Ogun State, where she stayed with an aunt.

But the aunt, three weeks ago, reportedly sent her to her father in Ebute Meta, saying she wanted to travel.

The Primary four pupil in an interview with our correspondent said her father defiled her while she was in the kitchen.

She said, “My mother died seven years ago. I did not know my father because I grew up with my grandmother. It was when I was 12 years old that I was told I had a father.

“Three weeks ago, my aunty told me I would stay with my father for a few days because she was travelling and did not want to leave me alone at home. That was how I went to stay with my father.

“On Tuesday, around 6.30pm, my father asked me to warm the soup on the stove. He suddenly followed me inside the kitchen and shut the door. I thought he wanted to cane me, and I started begging him.

“Instead, he removed his clothes and pulled my skirt and paints. Then he had sex with me. It was painful and blood gushed out from my private parts. He then said he was sorry.”

The victim said her father gave her N500 for treatment after she complained of pains in her legs.

She added that he took her to a traditional doctor who prescribed some concoction for her.

“My father told me he wanted to travel. I used the money he gave me to buy recharge cards and I called my elder brother and some other people to tell them what happened to me,” she said.

However, before the police could arrive at the scene, Uzor was said to have fled the house.

The victim was reportedly taken to Ogijo, where the matter got to the attention of the Ogun State Coordinator of the Centre for Defence of Human Rights, Mrs. Toyosi Bello.

Bello accused the police of trying to cover up the incident.

She said, “The Denton Police Division wanted to muddle up the matter and I decided to take the case to Nigerians. This girl is almost an orphan and needs help, but the police are trying to compound her problems.”

Our correspondent learnt that the victim and Bello were later connected with a human rights organisation, Project Alert on Violence against Women.

The Coordinator of the group, Mrs. Josephine Effah-Chukwuma, said the 14-year-old had been taken to the hospital for treatment.

She said, “When she got here, we did a referral letter to Mirabel Centre, which is a subsidiary of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital. Some medical tests were carried out on her and drugs were given to her.

“She is in our custody in the interim because she cannot go back to either her aunt or father. We discovered her aunt had been physically abusing her. We saw scars all over her body. The aunt then sent her to her father who further sexually abused her.”

Effah-Chukwuma said the group had petitioned the police authorities because the case was not given the attention it deserved, adding that the Denton Police Division had been “notorious in terms of how they respond to sexual abuse cases.”

A letter, dated December 4 and addressed to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba, claimed that the policemen handling the case connived with Uzor’s second wife to rubbish it.

It added that the Lagos State Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Women Affairs (Child Department) had been notified.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Kenneth Nwosu, told our correspondent that the police had commenced investigations, adding that justice would be served.

He said, “The case was reported at the station. The division has not closed the matter.

“It is presently under investigation and I am aware the father of the girl is not around.

“The matter is now at the SCID.”

Source

Rise in rape of minors: Commissioner raises alarm

The Plateau State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has raised alarm over the increasing rate of rape of minors in the State and appeals to parents of victims to stop covering up such act due to shame but come forward to report same as rape is a criminal offense against the State.


The Ministry’s Commissioner, Mrs. Sarah Yusuf, who spoke with Vanguard Metro, VM, through the Ministry’s Director of Child Welfare, Mr. Gwamfar Kannap, decried the alarming increase in the rape of minors by older men, a situation only heard about in far places.

The Commissioner who attributed the increase to drunkenness, rituals and other factors further lamented the unwillingness of parents and relations of victims to come forward with timely information due to fear of stigmatisation, ignorance and shame despite series of sensitization campaign. She stated that in recent months, the Ministry has received over 10 cases involving girls between the ages of five and 15 with the suspected rapists being between the ages of 30 and 70.

Mrs. Yusuf added that it is worrisome that the nefarious act is not limited to tribe or religion because those arrested cut across the adherents of Muslim, Christian religions and the traditionalists.

According to the Commissioner: “It is alarming the rate of reported cases of rape of minors in the State in recent weeks. We never really have this problem in the past, this is a new phenomenon and it is becoming a problem for us.

“Many factors are contributing to it. One of these is traditional medicine. Some believe that if you have HIV and you sleep with a girl who is a virgin, you will be cured. Some see that as a way of advancing their political ambitions. There are the issues of poverty and drugs we need to also be addressed.”

Successful prosecution

Meanwhile, the Commissioner stressed that “so far, one person has been successfully prosecuted and jailed, seven cases are pending in various courts and three persons are currently in detention.”

However, recent cases in the Corner Shagari area of Jos North involving a teenage girl and six men, that involving a three-year old and a middle aged man at Tudun Wada area of the local government as well as that of a five year old girl and a man in his 30s at Bukuru in Jos South local government area among several that necessitated an alarm being raised.

The State Police Command through the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Abuh Emmanuel confirmed there has been increase in the reports of rape cases from across the State, saying that “there is increase awareness that rape is a serious crime. We are arresting, investigating and prosecuting suspects because we want to sound a warning to others to desist from such criminal act.”

Source

Man, 27, rapes 11-yr-old girl with Down’s Syndrome

BENIN—A 27-year-old man, Austin Okonkwo, has been remanded in prison custody by an Evboriaria Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting in Ikpoba-Okha, Edo State, for allegedly raping an 11-year-old Down Syndrome girl.

The accused, who was described with unprintable words when his victim was presented in the court, pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge preferred against him.

Police Prosecutor, Aigbedion Obakpolor, informed the court that the offence was committed on November 29.

When the case was mentioned, Chief Magistrate Frank Idiake, who refused the bail application, said rape cases were on the increase.

A relative of the victim, who pleaded anonymity after the court sitting, said the accused took the girl to his room where the act was committed.

The relative said the victim cried of pains in her private part, which led to the arrest of the accused.

The case was adjourned to January 21, 2015 for continuation of trial.

Source

Ogun court remands man, 32, over rape

An Abeokuta Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting at Isabo, Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Wednesday remanded a 32-year-old man, Saheed Egbeleye, in prison for allegedly raping a 21-year-old physically-challenged woman.
The address and occupation of the accused were not disclosed.
According to the prosecutor, Sunday Eigbejiale, the accused committed the offence on November 29 at the Ilawo Compound, Adedotun area of Abeokuta.
He said, “There was a wedding ceremony in progress in the compound. The accused took advantage of the crowded, noisy place and told the lady that her father was calling her.
“He took her into a room and raped her, he was caught in the act when people around heard the lady screaming.”
The prosecutor argued that the offence contravened Sections 357 and 358 of the Criminal Laws of Ogun, 2006.
The accused person’s plea was not taken by the court.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr Anthony Araba, ordered that the accused be remanded in Ibara Prison while awaiting the Director of Public Prosecution’s advice.
The case has been adjourned till February 13 for mention
 

 

Source

A Letter to Bokoharam by Heart Broken Nigerian Women

Dear Management and staff of Bokoharam,

Our hearts are full of sadness and pain as we write you today dated 2nd December, 2014. We are fully convinced that you will see, read, and reflect over the content of this letter. We stand in the gap for ALL Nigerian Women representing every female baby, child, girl and adult. We could as well pass for your mothers, sisters, wives and daughters because we know for sure that you have women in your individual lives.

It is a well known fact globally that women bear the brunt of violence and terrorism and this has been the glaring case in Nigeria since you came on the scene with your violent strategies that has practically rendered our Northern States incapacitated.

We have suffered exorbitantly from the venom of your anger and violence that we are left in awe of what you really want from all these. You have maimed, murdered, slaughtered and killed our children, husbands and relations like rams in the abattoirs.

We have been thrown into consistent mourning, weeping and gnashing of teeth from the deep seated wounds you have engraved in our hearts and in this moment of despair we silently wish we had not given birth to you. We do not communicate this wish but that is how we feel. Sure, if you were not born, we would have had a society without bokoharam.

How happy we were when we were told that we were pregnant for you? We were so happy and our joy knew no bounds when we announced your presence to your fathers. We celebrated, danced and made merry at your birth because we thought we were blessed with male children whom used to be the pride of our nation. We were very proud to be called Uwar, Mama, and Iya – Shekau, Mohammed, Sani, Murktar, Obere etc.

Today, the sadness in our Spirit has deleted the happiness and curiosity we felt when we carried you in our wombs for 9 months. We are even deeply saddened when we see your age groups who have made Nigeria proud by standing out in the crowd like the shining amour.

Now, you will want to defend your actions by saying you were not given equal grounds. You could even argue that it is one of the  reasons why you are fighting. The truth is that they faced their own challenges as well but refused to succumb to the dark path of terrorism which you have chosen.

You even said you are fighting for God but any God who cannot fight for him/herself is definitely not qualified to be God. The God we serve is meant to fight for us not the other way around. How can you, a mere mortal fight for an immortal God?

Your actions against us are far hurting than the pain and labour of child birth. Remember, when you kidnapped the CHIBOK girls? We went crazy, many of us died imagining what our daughters were going through in your hands. We walked the streets of Nigeria calling for their release.

Some of us even walked naked with tears streaming down our eyes and breasts but all fell on your deaf ears. The whole world joined in the campaign but mercy did not touch your hearts to release the girls. We can’t believe, we gave birth to you.

Till today, the girls left in your custody will continue to be the memories of the carnage of your destruction forever. You boldly told us that you have married them off. Married them off to whom? Many of them are already pregnant with your breeds that definitely will carry on your nefarious acts.

Will you truly rejoice when those children are born knowing you have sacrificed their lives in the altar of darkness? How happy will you be when someone else kidnap your children and marry them off without your consent? Don’t you know that what ever comes around goes around?

At will, you bombed the market places being fully aware we are always at the markets struggling to make a living for our children. You bombed the schools at will being fully aware that our children are there. At will you bombed the churches and the mosques being fully aware that we are always there praying for our families which includes you. You have destroyed our homes and made us refugees in our own country and we now live off charities.

The war you have declared on Nigeria is actually war against WOMEN. What did we do to deserve these? What really is your intention? We know. Yes, you thought that by declaring war against Women that the government will surrender to you? You are absolutely wrong.

Do you not see that irrespective of your nefarious acts that the government hardly pays attention other than send few words of condolences to us? Do you not see that their main preoccupation is their campaign for 2015 elections? Do you not see that their lives are filled with luxury and numerous trips abroad? Do you not know that their children are all away from Nigeria? You see, you can never get their attention by putting us through sleepless nights because you are not priority to them at all.

We actually thought that the worst you could do was the kidnap of the CHIBOK girls but alas! You came along with another strategy – using women and girls as suicide bombers! Using our daughters to destroy us? Oh! how evil can you get? This is the final straw!

The only offence we committed against you is giving birth to you. We wish we can turn back the hand of time. We wish we had power to see into the future -today.  May be we would have taken critical decision about your birth.

However we wish, we cannot change the time but you can change because we know that deep down your hearts are the cheerful and loving sons we had and are proud of.

It is time to sheath your swords! It is time to label correctly and address the issues of your grievances accordingly! It is time you stop this violence against Women! It is 16 days of activism! It is your time for change!

On behalf of Nigerian Women whom you have abused sexually, emotionally, physically, rendered childless, turned to widows and refugees.

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