Monday, April 21, 2014

Injustice - How Police man Forced Victim of gang rape to free ‘Rapists’

The Agbado-Oja community in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State is just a sleepwalking distance away from the ever-bustling Ishaga area of Lagos. Despite its proximity to the “Centre of Excellence”, the community typifies an eloquent statement in rustic retrogression — a place where poverty walks on all fours, clothed in the tattered attire of naked, running children, rundown ancient buildings and filth-filled streets. But poverty is not the only thing that reigns unfettered here. The diabolic mixture of sexual abuse and ignorance appears to be equally holding sway.
Hawawu (full name withheld), the 16 year-old daughter of a struggling bricklayer and an apprentice tailor, recently became the latest victim of the rape virus currently running wild in the community. But in addition, there was the shocking, seeming police complicity in the brutal crime.

As the story goes, on the evening of March 30, Hawawu received a call from her male friend, Adeleke, for a meeting in his house. The previous day, Adeleke, a young man for whom Hawawu reportedly had a soft spot, had arrived in the tailoring shop opposite her house where she resumed apprenticeship two years ago, and a year after she dropped out of Primary Three at the nearby AC Community Primary School. Adeleke, in the company of two other boys, reportedly invited her to an event holding in his house. After the repeated call on Sunday evening, she left for his house. On getting there, Hawawu was said to be initially reluctant entering. Shortly after, Adeleke and three of his friends dragged her into his room after which four of them allegedly took turns raping her.

Later that night, they were said to have dragged the now half-conscious girl writhing in pains all the way down the staircases in the storey building then dumped her in front of her ramshackle house on 4, Isanmi Street in the Adubo-Agopani area of Agbado-Oja.

Her father, Yinusa Olarenwaju, 43, was alerted by neighbours and he took her into the derelict, one room, face-me-I-face-you apartment, a sort of a boys quarter arrangement left to him by his father. It is this room with the brownish and wrinkled roofs falling off, and where he had shared with the victim and her younger sister, Amina, 13, since their mother, Tawa, left him about a decade ago, that he took his dying daughter into. It was 11pm and, as usual, Mr. Olarenwaju was down and out and with no transport easily in site, he tried ‘managing’ the traumatized girl till the next day.

On Monday morning, the weeping Mr. Olarenwaju headed for the palace of the Baale (local chief), Sunday Oyeogun, to report the matter. “After Hawawu’s father reported, I immediately summoned the parents of the accused boys,” Mr. Oyeogun told this reporter recently.

But rather than look out for the victim to extend to her the much needed medical care, they allegedly ‘gathered’ N200, 000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) and brought to the Baale to ‘kill’ the case. According to him, he refused and directed that the girl be treated as a matter of urgency before any other discussion. He claimed, he advised the victim’s father to report the case at the Divisional Police Headquarters in the area. Thereafter, a certain Alaba, a police officer attached to the Juvenile, Women and Children’s Unit, was assigned the case as the Investigating Police Officer (IPO).

That was where the case took a dangerous turn.

“Alaba ensured that the girl was taken to the Sarabis Medical Centre in the Odo-Oba area of the community, and also got the boys arrested. But shortly after, he called Mr. Olarenwaju and asked him to withdraw the case,” said a source in the community familiar with the case. He requested not to be named for fear of being harassed by the police.

When Mr. Olarenwaju protested the idea of what seemed a miscarriage of justice, Alaba slapped him and handcuffed him, ‘rough-handling’ him at the police station. The poor man thereafter kept mute and offered no more resistance.



Shortly after Hawawu was discharged from the hospital, one evening in the first week of April, Alaba appeared at the front of Hawawu’s house, brandishing a paper. He commanded her out of the apartment, thrust a paper in front of her and asked her to sign it. The implication, he explained, was that she had withdrawn the case and would forever keep sealed lips over it.



By Nigerian and international laws, anyone under the age of 18 is considered not qualified to sign undertakings or agreements. Yet, whatever hesitance Hawawu hitherto nurtured must have simply evaporated with Alaba’s intimidating presence and the reality of the brutality he had meted out to her father, Mr. Olarenwaju just days before. It was possible that Hawawu, the primary three drop-out, with an eye for fashion designing, had no idea what was on the paper. Nevertheless she capitulated and scribbled an inelegant acceptance to Alaba’s white paper.

Alaba then marched triumphantly back to the police station and freed the ‘adventurous boys’ unconditionally. They were never tried. The victim and her father had been panel-beaten into frightened silence.

Meanwhile, in a bid to hide the stigmatized girl from prying eyes and wagging tongues in the community, and the fear of harassment from the boys’ families (who had allegedly threatened her bricklayer father), Hawawu fled her home, leaving her father, sister and her dream of one day becoming a ‘Madam’.

Mrs. Sauban (she declined to provide her first name), Hawawu’s ‘Madam’ in whose shop she was learning tailoring, described her as ‘a gentle girl’, and said she knew nothing more about the case. At the Sarabis Medical Centre where Hawawu was treated, the doctor, Femi Amodu, would also not offer insights into the nature of the victim’s injuries for “patient’s confidentiality and ethical reasons”. It thus remained unclear if she received the right treatment.

Mr. Amodu’s hospital in itself raises a number of other questions. First, a source in the community claims Mr. Amodu is a psychiatrist and not a general practitioner. A visit to the hospital shows persons exhibiting signs of mental illness strolling around the vicinities of his white storey building, while a few patients waited in the tiny reception. Another concern is the fact that the hospital is located directly behind ‘Bola Federal’, a towering dumpsite that oozes acrid stench in the entire area.

A source in the community claims that it is common knowledge that the police always insists on referring rape and other related cases in the community to Sarabis because the two — the hospital and the police– allegedly shares the N20, 000 fee for ‘medical report’ on a 50/50 ratio.

Dr. Amodu would not confirm or deny anything, instead, directing the reporter to the police. A second victim was also said to have been raped on the same night but details about that are very sketchy. The doctor wouldn’t talk and Hawawu is in flight. At the Divisional Headquarters, neither the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) nor the IPO, Alaba was available for comments.

Attempts to trace the fleeing Hawawu has so far failed. At the equally rustic Orire community in the Ope-Ilu area, also in Ifo Local Government, Tawa, Hawawu’s mother sat despondent. “She was here earlier but she has gone to her father’s relatives’ place and it is very far away,’ she whispered wearily, holding her two children, Latifa, 7, and Kafaya, 4, whom she has for her new husband, Kayode, a gangling electrician with faraway looks.

Tawa who hails from Idanre in Ondo State, just returned from her daily routine of hawking ‘ogi’ (local corn food), looking disheveled, and like her two kids, clearly malnourished. “What can I do? I will welcome whatever steps are taken to find justice for my daughter,” she said in a small, frightened voice.  

Joe Okei-Odumakin, president of the rights group, Women Arise, says justice must be brought to the door steps of the suspects as well as the police officers involved in subverting justice.

“This incident goes to show that impunity is on the rise,” she said. “How can an underage girl be forced to sign an undertaking? There is jungle justice everywhere. The people that perpetuated the heinous crime are walking free while the victim is on the run! We must ensure that these boys are pulled out of their homes and made to face the wrath of the law,” she said.

Mrs. Odumakin, who is currently a delegate at the ongoing National Conference, urged the Senate to pass the anti-rape bill (already passed by the House of Representatives), which stipulates life imprisonment for rape offenders.“This is one rape too many. It is a wake-up call to all lovers of justice to ensure that we find justice for this poor girl,” she added.




PREMIUM TIMES
15/04/14
 

 

 

 

Addressing rape in 21st century Nigeria


Finally, four men have been given life sentences in the rape case of a young female photographer in Mumbai, India. In Nigeria, the laws governing the rape of a minor have been raised to life in prison for the offending rapist and 14 years if the victim is an adult; if the victim survives. Two countries, same problem. A global sexual depravity of pandemic proportions.

The Oxford dictionary’s first definition of rape: v. 1. (of a man) force (another person) to have sexual intercourse with him/her against their will. To have forced sexual relations with a human, even an unsuspecting animal, would be sure to have dire, psychological consequences for the victim; perhaps even irreparable mental damage which may lead to permanent insanity.

Rape! The mere sound of the word sends an uncomfortable yet distinct shiver down the spine. Images of one human brutally overpowering another in absolutely abhorrent acts of forced sexual perversion flash across the mind leaving indelible visions of one of the many devastatingly demoralizing acts of man’s inhumanity to man.

With the many educational as well as scientific achievements and advancements made by the human race in the 20th and 21st centuries, one would think that ancient crimes such as rape would have been drastically curtailed if not obliterated from the pages of civilization. Alas, no. This persistent crime has managed to remain firm, albeit hidden in plain sight, through the ages.

Unfortunately, it seems, by-products of the same achievements and advancements have brought with them cunning new ways of spreading this dreaded social malaise. A disease capable of crippling the very essence of humanity.

Globally, rape has been on the increase. Most likely due to an unhealthy combination of weak laws governing the prosecution of rape cases, the dismal lack of will by constituted authorities to vigorously pursue and prosecute reported incidents, easily accessible pornographic material on the internet along with an alarmingly sharp decline in traditional and religious values.

Liberal views (in some quarters) on the interactions between the sexes. All these, when added to the dangerous mix above, create a volatile recipe like a dormant volcano suddenly awakened and bent on erupting.

The advent of certain entertainers (Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus and P-Square come to mind) both at home and abroad with a penchant for glorifying deviant sexual behaviour may, perhaps indirectly, have also contributed to the rise in the perpetration of this vile act. Youth, only in the first evolutionary stages of becoming young men and women, have far more easier and unsupervised access to the internet where they see modes of dressing which even mildly described as indecent would be an understatement. They hear lyrics written with blatant messages of sexual innuendo. They witness erotic dance moves once reserved only for the discreet viewing pleasure of the most daring men. It is only logical that violent acts would be used to quench the wild fires of naked desire emanating from the loins of these young people.

I admit to not being an authority on the issue of the possible psychological leanings which could lead to rape or the contemplation thereof but I am quite confident that I wouldn’t be too far off the mark. Thus said, it behoves the rest of us who remain eternally thankful to our parents / guardians and a bygone era of decency to reignite the flames of purity for the preservation of moral sanctity of generations to come.

“Don’t just say NO to rape. Say NEVER
 
Yusuf Mahmud
04/04/14
 
 

Police detain Lagos DPO for rape


The Lagos State Police Command has arrested the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Onikan Station, Mr. Adekunle Awe for alleged rape and threat to life. Our correspondent learnt that two other policemen of the rank of inspector were also arrested as part of ongoing investigations.

A 31-year-old cook, Idowu Akinwunmi, had accused Awe of raping her in his office on April 15, 2014. A reliable source told our correspondent on Friday that the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, the Lagos State Government and other human rights groups were interested in the matter. The source said, “The DPO has been detained at the Special Investigation Bureau at the command headquarters. Two other inspectors, who were on duty when the alleged offence took place have also been arrested. “The state government frowns at rape and if you recall, a new law on rape was passed not too long ago so we shall be leaving no stone unturned. “The complainant and the accused persons as well as very senior officers of the command all had a meeting in the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Administration and I can tell you authoritatively that no stone will be left unturned.”

Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, aconfirmed the development to our correspondent on the telephone. She said, “As you know, allegation of rape is a very grievous one and we have commenced investigation into the matter. The DPO has been relieved of his post and is in custody so as not to interfere with investigations. “I want to assure the public that the command is not taking it lightly and will make sure that we get to the root of the matter.”

It had been reported that the victim, who worked at an eatery on Keffi Street, Ikoyi, had been arrested by the police at the behest of her boss who accused her of allowing a stranger to sleep over at the restaurant. The police were said to have arrested five others for disobeying the rules of the restaurant.

The victim had said she was forced into having sex with the DPO after he had threatened to kill her and throw her and the other suspects in prison.

PUNCH

19/04/14

My view: I strongly believe that this case should be properly investigated. In the past, there have been cases of women in police cells who voluntarily request the DPO to have sex with them. The sexual act will be used to serve as payment for their release thereafter.

If this DPO is found guilty, he should be made to face the wrath of the law in three (3) folds.

Edna Wey!

70-year-old HIV positive man allegedly rapes 13-year-old girl


A 70-year-old man, allegedly raped a 13-year-old girl in Barkinladi Local Government Area of Plateau State. The Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Chris Olakpe, confirmed this to journalists in Jos, the state capital. Mr. Olakpe said the suspect, who is HIV positive, was arrested, following a tip off by neighbours and brought to the state headquarters of the command.“A son of the landlord of the suspect, suspected the act of the 70-year-old man, and alerted the neighborhood,” the police chief said, saying that led to the suspect’s arrest.

The suspect reportedly admitted to the crime and disclosed his HIV status. He then pleaded for mercy. PREMIUM TIMES learnt that residents of the area had gathered to lynch the suspect,but for the intervention of the police. The Police Commissioner said the suspect was being interrogated by the police, while the victim has been taken to a hospital in the state for treatment.

Mr. Olakpe, who spoke via a telephone conference, said the suspect would be prosecuted after investigations. There have been increased rape cases in Barkinladi.

About two weeks ago, a mobile police officer attached to the Special Task Force on Jos crisis was dismissed from the Police Force, for allegedly raping a 4-year-old in Barkinladi.

 

PREMIUM TIMES

12/04/14

 

My View- Where are we going in this Country? A 70 year old man who is supposed to spread words of wisdom, has chosen to spread HIV instead?  He deserves to be hanged!
Edna Wey!

Thursday, April 03, 2014

Who am I ? What am I doing?

My Blog makes me sad( Sexual abuse makes me sad).
Its the reason I took a break.

I asked myself ,  ''Should I change my style to an entertainment blog, or a trendy blog filled with the latest gists about who paints the town red? If I do this, I sure will get more traffic and publicity to my blog? Am I sure sexual abuse is the fight I want to take on, despite the sadness it brings?  Questions kept pouring in from Me to ME. I began to feel like I was a reporter of strictly sad/bad news (Sighs).

They say we dream about the last things on our mind before we go to bed.  Well, I dreamt about my posts on Eve's World daily and they weren't pleasant at all(My big Sis used to call me "Josephine").  Often times, I image the rape scenarios in my head like a drama and it began to affect my thinking "through the demon called "Fear".

Never the less, I want to change the world. Its not just a ''want" ; for me its a ''need''.  I NEED to make a positive difference. I refuse to grow old and die like most men and women do, without making an impact on others except family, friends and acquiring wealth.

What brought me back to this blog?
Simple- MY PASSION. Sexual abuse is a subject I'm passionate about. I realized nothing good comes easy. Currently I work as a Monitoring & Evaluation Analyst (travel a lot); am a Wife to a good Doctor , but I want to do more for others. I want more for myself. My Birthday comes up in two days time. When asked by my husband what I wanted as my gift, I requested he paid for a training course for me, which commences on my birthday (maybe next year i'll host a party). I don't want to be like everybody else so I need to develop myself in every way possible.

My blog is my memoire. I don't care about its traffic, publicity or who ignores. One day, this blog will make a positive difference, especially in the life of a rapist or Pedophile out there.


" There is no Passion, without Pain. To get the good fruits, you have to climb the tree''


Edna Wey