Tag: Rape

Family writes police over alleged rape of their nine year old daughter by a soldier

…demands justice over molestation and arrest of Miracle’s father

The family of Miracle Aliubaba has sent a petition to the Nigerian Police demanding for justice over alleged rape of their daughter Miracle Aliubaba by a soldier in Warri, Delta state.

TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports the family through their counsel Ekpuda and Ekpuda Legal Practitioners are demanding for a speedy action/intervention of a case of rape.

In the letter, the narrative from the teenager as captured by the family’s counsel stated that:

“The oral briefing of our Client reveals, that our Clients’ daughter, who is nine (9) years old, named Miracle Aliubaba was raped by one Aliyu Uwarh, a Soldier with the 3Battalion of the Nigerian Army, Effurun.

“Sometime in May 2023, our Clients were doing their farm job, at the farm and Miracle Aliubaba, the Victim herein always fetch water for her parents, in the course of doing their job, the said Aliyu Uwarh (the soldier) captured
her, after she fetched water and started molesting her and further beat her up, not to tell anyone not even her parents and sometimes uses hand kerchief to tie her mouth and start abusing her.

“Consequently, our Clients then noticed that something was wrong with their daughter.
The mother have to examine her, only to discover that someone has been molesting her daughter and after discussing with her, she opened up that a soldier man named Aliyu Uwarh have been penetrating her.

“After reporting the act/action of the said Soldier, the soldier took our Clients’ daughter for medical checkup and it was confirmed that she is been molested/abused.

“The father of the victim was later locked up in Army custody for several days. On hearing all this, Mrs Aliubaba, who was seven (7) months pregnant, lost her pregnancy due to the
trauma.

Read full letter below:

ACTION/INTERVENTION
A CASE OF RAPE: A CALL FOR SPEEDY
We are Solicitors to MR & MRS ALIUBABA of Behind Benjones Filing Station, Army
Barrack, and Delta State, (hereinafter called “Our Clients and on whose firm instructions,
we write you this letter.
The oral briefing of our Client reveals, that our Clients’ daughter, who is nine (9) years
old, named Miracle Aliubaba was raped by one Aliyu Uwarh, a Soldier with the 3
Battalion of the Nigerian Army, Effurun. Sometime in May 2023, our Clients were doing
their farm job, at the farm and Miracle Aliubaba, the Victim herein always fetch water for
her parents, in the course of doing their job, the said Aliyu Uwarh (the soldier) captured
her, after she fetched water and started molesting her and further beat her up, not to tell
anyone not even her parents and sometimes uses hand kerchief to tie her mouth and
start abusing her.
Consequently, our Clients then noticed that something was wrong with their daughter.
The mother have to examine her, only to discover that someone has been molesting her
daughter and after discussing with her, she opened up that a soldier man named Aliyu Uwarh have been penetrating her.

After reporting the act/action of the said Soldier, the soldier took our Clients’ daughter for medical checkup and it was confirmed that she is been molested/abused. The father
of the victim was later locked up in Army custody for several days. On hearing all this, Mrs Aliubaba, who was seven (7) months pregnant, lost her pregnancy due to the
trauma.
When the Barrack Doctor, one Capt Harumin confirmed the molestation, the victim
father was then release from the Army custody.
desires of our Clients are to see justice is done in this case by apprehending the
ccused and allow the law to take its course.
the light of the foregoing, we therefore on behalf of our clients passionately appeal to
you to use your good office to ensure that MIRACLE gets justice.
We count on your cooperation in this regard.

June 23, 2023
Life imprisonment for two men convicted of defiling 13-Year-old girl

In a significant ruling on Wednesday, the Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court, under the jurisdiction of Justice Rahman Oshodi, sentenced Alex Michael and Yakubu Isiaka to life imprisonment for sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl.

The offenders will serve their sentences at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre in Lagos State.

Justice Oshodi, after carefully considering the evidence presented by the prosecution, concluded that Michael, a cobbler, and Isiaka, a cleric, were guilty of the crime of defilement beyond any reasonable doubt.

The convicts failed to provide any statements or evidence to challenge the accusations levelled against them.

“The only statement before the court is the confession by Michael, corroborated by the Investigating Police Officer, who testified that the convict admitted to having sexual intercourse with the victim on three occasions.

“Furthermore, I believe that Michael had the opportunity to commit the crime as he was a neighbor of the victim,” Justice Oshodi said.

The judge noted that both defendants confessed to the police at Owutu Police Division in Ikorodu that they had engaged in sexual acts with the underage girl.

Prosecutor Babajide Boye earlier informed the court that the offenses were committed between October and November 2019 in Ikorodu, which violated the Criminal Laws of Lagos State (2015).

According to Boye, Michael admitted to having sexual intercourse with the victim three times, justifying his actions by claiming that the girl flirted with him and shared pornographic material involving the victim on his mobile phone.

On the other hand, Isiaka was found to have had sexual intercourse with the girl twice, offering her N500 on the first occasion and N200 on the second.

The court subsequently sentenced the duo to life imprisonment for the two-count charge of defilement.

Justice Oshodi also directed that the names of the convicts be registered in the sex offenders register maintained by the Lagos State government.

June 21, 2023
Police arraign brothers for alleged rape

The Police on Tuesday arraigned two brothers, Wahab Afeez, 26; and Shuaibu Afeez, 23, in Lagos State, for alleged conspiracy, rape, breach of peace and threat to life.

The defendants, whose addresses are unknown, are standing trial before a Badagry Chief Magistrates’ Court on a four-count charge.

The prosecutor, ASP Ikem Uko, told the court that the defendants committed the offences on June 14 at 2.30 p.m. at Oluwo Compound, Imeke, Badagry.

Uko said said that Wahab had sexual intercourse with a 20-year-old lady without her consent.

“He threatened to kill the lady with cutlass if she should inform anybody about his unlawful act.

“The second defendant, Shuaibu, conducted himself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by standing at the entrance of the house and watching Wahab committing the offence of unlawfully having intercourse with the complainant,” he said.

The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 411, 137, 260 and 168 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Patrick Adekomaiya, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N500,000 each with two sureties in like sum.

Adekomaiya said that one of the sureties must be a community leader.

June 20, 2023
Justice well served: 57yr old lady to rot in jail for 29yrs for raping 8yr old boy

A 57-year -old woman, Desderia Mbwelwa, has been sentenced to twenty-nine years imprisonment for raping an eight years old boy.

The Tanzanian court found the 57yr old woman guilty last Friday who not only raped the boy, but allegedly gave him a sexually transmitted disease.

According to reports, the lady found the boy herding cattle in one of the villages in southern district of Iringa. After discovering he was alone, she sexually assaulted him under a tree.

Five witnesses including a doctor who examined the boy, confirmed that the boy sustained injuries and contracted sexual infections due to contamination in his genital area.

Mbwelwa’s lawyer, Frank Mwela, said they will appeal the judgement arguing that the lady has not been tested to confirm if she has sexua infections.

June 15, 2023
How Lekki Bishop allegedly raped 25-year woman while speaking in tongue

A 25-year woman (name withheld) on Wednesday told an Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court how a bishop, Oluwafeyiropo Daniels, allegedly raped her while praying.

The alleged rape occurred at the cleric’s residence at Lekki, Lagos State.

The bishop is standing trial on an amended three-count charge bordering on rape and sexual assault, to which he pleaded not guilty.

The alleged victim/survivor testified at the resumed trial of the defendant.

The witness, who was a member of a church founded by the defendant, was led in evidence by state lead counsel, Mr Babajide Boye.

According to the alleged survivor, she was in her sister’s shop in Osogbo on Jan. 2, 2019, when her cousin was listening to the bishop’s sermon on phone.

“I told my cousin the sermon was nice and he told me the name of the church which I searched for and followed its page on Facebook.

“After that, I was able to chat with Feyi on Facebook and he added me to a WhatsApp group called Spiritual Sonship Group,” she testified.

The alleged victim told the court that she met the defendant for the first time at a camp in 2019 when the church had a three-day retreat.

“He later had a programme at OAU which I attended and met Brother Isaac, one of his spiritual sons, and we exchanged numbers.

“From the sonship group, I took an assistant pastor / first prosecution witness (PW1) (name withheld) to be my prayer partner because, irrespective of our gender, we call ourselves sons.

“On the WhatsApp group, Feyi dropped a message that all sons should pick a convenient time to fast for 70 days, pray for two hours and break at 6.00 p.m. daily and come to Lagos for laying of hands after the fasting,” she testified.

The witness told the court that the defendant told her personally to come to Lagos for laying of hands after the fasting.

“On Sept. 8 2019, I told her (PW1) that I was going to Lagos for the laying of hands but the programme started late and there was no where to sleep because I had no one I could stay with in Lagos.

“PW1 told me to call and tell Feyi that I had no one to stay with for the night, and I did.

“He said there was no problem, and this made me to follow him to his house with some other members, including Bro Israel and his wife, but they later left the house that same day,” she said.

The witness said that a lady identified simply as Rachael took her to a room where she slept.

“The following morning, Feyi came out of his room and laid his hands on my head and started praying for me at the dining section, after I greeted him.

“I went inside the room to start preparing to go to Osogbo, and he told me there was food in the kitchen, that I should eat.

“I was eating at the dining when he came to meet me again and said, ‘Are you in your period?’

“I said, ‘No”, and he went back to his room. I did not see Rachael in the morning though we slept in the same room,” she said.

The alleged survivor further told the court that the defendant came to her again and told her that he had an instruction for her but would want her to hear it herself.

She said: ” There are two portraits of one Prophet Babajide David Olulana on Feyi’s living room whom he told me was his spiritual father.

“Feyi told me to carry one of the portraits and stare at it so that I can hear the instruction myself, which I did.

“After a while, he came out of his room and asked if I heard anything. I told him,” No”. He then said that the portrait was talking to me but I could not receive it. He said his spiritual father would use another means to speak to me.

“I then got a text message on my phone with the sender showing Babajide. I could not call the number but the message read, ‘Whatever your father asks you to do, do it for your own good’.”

According to the witness, the defendant later came out and asked if she had received any sign.

“I told him I got a message. He said I should delete the message. Feyi told me that when I was born, my aunt did something to me which prevented my progress in life.

“He said the instruction he received was for him to help me so that I could be free from my aunt. I asked what the instructions was, and he said the instruction was for him to have sex with me. I was confused at this point. His eyes had already changed and he told me to go to his room.”

She told the court that when she got there, the two portraits of Prophet Babajide were on the bed.

“He (defendant) was playing a Christian song with the title, ‘Let Praises Rise’ on his phone. He pushed me on the bed, I tried to move away but he pulled me back as I was already naked.

“While Feyi was speaking in tongue, he was having sex with me,” she testified.

The witness further told the court that the defendant told her she would die if she would tell anyone about the alleged rape.

She said that the defendant raped her on other occasions and she got pregnant for him but lost it to an accident on Ilorin-Ibadan Road.

Justice Ramon Oshodi adjourned the case until May 25 for continuation of trial.

May 25, 2023
Ogun Corps member arrested over allegation of rape

The police command in Ogun says it has arrested a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Adebola Sodiq, for allegedly raping a 20-year-old girl (name withheld).

SP Abimbola Oyeyemi, the Police Spokesman in the state, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abeokuta on Saturday.

Oyeyemi explained that the suspect
was arrested following a report lodged at Owode Egba Divisional Headquarters in Obafemi Owode local government area of the state by the victim.

According to the police spokesman, the victim reported that the suspect was a boyfriend to her very close friend.

“She said he came to her apartment where she lives with her co-workers on May 9 and asked her to follow him to a junction to buy a gift for her in celebration of her recent birthday.

“She stated that as an intimate friend to the suspect’s girlfriend, she has no reason to suspect any foul play, hence she followed him.

“But while they were going, the suspect asked her to follow him to the premises of the school where he is serving, in order to pick his wallet.

“On getting to the school compound at Agbajege village, the suspect forcefully dragged her to his room where Sodiq had unlawful carnal knowledge of her despite her pleading and crying for mercy,” he said.

Oyeyemi explained that upon receiving the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Owode Egba Division, Olasunkanmi Popoola ordered Sodiq’s arrest.

He added that on interrogation, he confessed to the commission of the crime but claimed that he did not know what came over him.

The police spokesman stated that the victim was taken to Owode Egba General Hospital by the police for medical treatment.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Ogun, Olanrewaju Oladimeji, had directed that Sodiq be transferred to the State Criminal Investigative Department for further investigation and possible prosecution.

May 14, 2023
Police arrest NYSC member for alleged rape in Ogun

The police command in Ogun says it has arrested a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Adebola Sodiq, for allegedly raping a 20-year-old girl. (name withheld).

SP Abimbola Oyeyemi, the Police Spokesman in the state, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abeokuta on Saturday.

Oyeyemi explained that the suspect was arrested following a report lodged at Owode Egba Divisional Headquarters in Obafemi Owode local government area of the state by the victim.

According to the police spokesman, the victim reported that the suspect was a boyfriend to her very close friend.

“She said he came to her apartment where she lives with her co-workers on May 9 and asked her to follow him to a junction to buy a gift for her in celebration of her recent birthday.

“She stated that as an intimate friend to the suspect’s girlfriend, she has no reason to suspect any foul play, hence she followed him.

“But while they were going, the suspect asked her to follow him to the premises of the school where he is serving, in order to pick his wallet.

“On getting to the school compound at Agbajege village, the suspect forcefully dragged her to his room where Sodiq had unlawful carnal knowledge of her despite her pleading and crying for mercy,” he said.

Oyeyemi explained that upon receiving the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Owode Egba Division, Olasunkanmi Popoola ordered Sodiq’s arrest.

He added that on interrogation, he confessed to the commission of the crime but claimed that he did not know what came over him.

The police spokesman stated that the victim was taken to Owode Egba General Hospital by the police for medical treatment.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Ogun, Olanrewaju Oladimeji, had directed that Sodiq be transferred to the State Criminal Investigative Department for further investigation and possible prosecution.

May 14, 2023
Addressing Sexual Predators and Resettlement Challenges for Female IDPs in North East Nigeria

Instances of rape and sexual predation have become a distressing issue in various parts of Nigeria, especially among internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps, where female children are particularly vulnerable.

In Borno State, concerns have been raised over the rising incidents of rape and sexual violence against girls, with survivors and their families often hesitant to come forward.

Both government and non-governmental organizations have strongly condemned the scourge that has affected many female IDPs over the years.

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, spoke out against sexual predators targeting female IDPs in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states.

He shared alarming statistics from the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), which reported a total of 5,623 incidents of child abuse and other sexual and gender-based violence from January 2018 to July 2022 across the three states in the North Eastern region.

According to the SARC study, 640 arrests were made, accounting for 88.6 per cent of the total number of sexual and gender-based violence incidents over the four-year period.

Additionally, 82 offenders were charged in various courts within the three states. The report also highlighted that eight convictions were secured against sexual offenders who were taken to court.

Human Rights Watch documented cases of sexual abuse, including rape and exploitation, involving 43 women and girls living in seven IDP camps in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State.

Several studies have concluded that the culprits and perpetrators of gender-based violence in IDP camps include civilians, military personnel, and emergency management officers who are assigned to protect and support internally displaced persons.

The report also shed light on government officials and other authorities in Nigeria who raped and sexually abused girls displaced by the conflict with Boko Haram.

Tragically, in January 2022, a 15-year-old IDP named Aisha Umar in Borno State committed suicide after being raped by a 35-year-old official from an international non-governmental organization.

The incident took place at the suspect’s apartment near the Dalori IDP camp in Maiduguri, under the pretense of cleaning the area.

Efforts to Resettle IDPs

The Borno State Government’s efforts to resettle IDPs have played a vital role in reducing sexual violence against females seeking refuge in the region.

Governor Babagana Zulum has officially closed all formal IDP camps in Maiduguri due to the return of peace in the state.

Beginning in 2021, the state government initiated the closure of all camps in the capital, which is considered the most secure location in the state.

By August 2022, Borno State authorities had successfully relocated over 140,000 people from eight closed camps in Maiduguri since May 2021.

This significant progress has undoubtedly eased the issue of sexual harassment in the North Eastern region, as the closure of formal IDP camps and the resettlement efforts are crucial steps toward ensuring the safety and well-being of vulnerable populations, particularly women and girls.

However, ongoing vigilance, comprehensive support services, and strict enforcement of laws are necessary to address and prevent sexual predation and other forms of gender-based violence, both within IDP camps and in broader society.

Continued collaboration between government agencies, NGOs, and the international community is vital to protect the rights and dignity of all individuals, especially those affected by conflicts and displacement.

May 13, 2023
Medical doctor remanded in prison for allegedly raping a patient

An Ilorin Magistrates’Court on Thursday remanded a medical doctor, Ayodele Joseph, for allegedly raping a patient.

The suspect was arraigned on two counts of act of gross indecency and rape contrary to sections 285 and 283 of the penal code.

The police alleged that the defendant sedated the patient, who is a professional nurse, and raped her.

The police said that investigation into the matter led to the recovery of a video recording containing sexual acts on the victim while medical tests also confirmed that the nurse was sexually assaulted.

The Prosecution Counsel, Mr Gbenga Ayeni, informed the court of the gravity of the offence and the motion attached to the police report seeking the remand of the suspect.

Magistrate Gbadeyan Jumoke Kamson, who handled the case granted Ayeni’s prayer for remand while the matter was adjourned until May 18.

May 11, 2023
How bishop allegedly raped assistant pastor at Lekki

A 23-year-old assistant pastor on Tuesday told an Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court how a bishop, Daniel Oluwafeyiropo, allegedly raped her twice.

Oluwafeyiropo is standing trial on an amended three-count charge bordering on rape and sexual assault, to which he pleaded not guilty.

The assistant pastor (name withheld) testified for the prosecution at the bishop’s trial.

She was led in evidence by Lagos State counsel, Mr Babajide Boye.

She told the court that she was an assistant pastor of 1 Reign Christian Ministry founded by the bishop.

She said that she knew the bishop on May 28, 2018, when her friend invited her for a church programme at which the bishop ministered, at Akungba, Akoko in Ondo State.

She said that the programme was tagged “Strictly Supernatural”.

According to her, she subsequently became a member of the church and rose to the position of an assistant pastor.

She said that Pastor Boluwatishe Oladejo took over from Pastor Toyosi Bamise as the Lead Pastor then.

The witness told the court that the bishop, who she regarded as her spiritual father, raped her at his residence on Ikota Villa Estate, Lekki, Lagos State, on June 21, 2020.

The witness said: “I was listening to Pastor Chris’s message when bishop came to the three-seater chair I was sitting on and told me to go naked.

“For the fear of what happened a day before, I went naked, and bishop locked the door, increased the volume of the television and went naked also.

“He pinned me to the chair and raped me. He was bigger than me.”

The witness said that she appealed to the bishop to leave her but he did not.

“He threatened that I would run mad if I should tell anyone; so, I was in the guest room till the following day.

“On June 22, I sent a message to Pastor Boluwatishe and informed him that I had been raped,” the alleged victim testified.

She also told the court that the bishop did not allow her to go out of the house after the first alleged rape.

“He sent the gateman anytime I needed anything. It was at this time that it was dawn on me that this man is a rapist.

“For my safety, I was acting stupid and acted as if I did not tell anyone.

“I was in the room when he came again and said he wanted to have sex but I refused.

“He was very angry; so, I told him I had tears from the previous sexual violation,” she testified.

The witness said that, on June 23, 2020, the bishop also told her that he wanted to have sex with her.

“He said I should count it as a privilege that he had sex with me because many people would love to have sex with him.

“I told him I had someone I was dating.

“That same morning of June 23, he took off my dress and raped me again in the sitting room.

“He told me I would die if I should tell anyone. I bled a second time because of the forceful entry,” she said.

She earlier told the court that the bishop called her on phone on June 5, 2020, saying that it was her turn to come with some other pastors to his house at Lekki, Lagos State.

She added that, on June 19, when she got to the house, the bishop came out from his room and told her that she had a query to answer.

She testified that the bishop told her that she would transcribe his message entitled “Fulfilling My Ministry”.

She said: “The following day, on June 20, only the bishop and I were left in the house after other pastors had left.

“The bishop told me to go on a three-hour prayer work around the estate but I came back 30 minutes before the three hours elapsed, due to rain.

“He questioned why I returned earlier, and I told him that it was due to rainfall.

“I was seated on a couch that same day listening to Pastor Chris’s message when the bishop walked up to me from the dining section and made comments on the teaching I was listening to.”

She testified that the bishop thereafter told her to pull off her clothes but didn’t rape her.

“He said he wanted to know my loyalty and see If I had finally submitted to him.

“I told him I could do anything for him but sex. He tried kissing me but I stopped him; then, he slapped me.

“He ordered me to wear back my clothes, saying that I disappointed him,” the witness said.

She testified that on June 24, 2020, the bishop told her to clean up the house.

“That was when Sister Faith and Pastor Toyosi came to the house.

“I tried to talk to Pastor Toyosi but bishop did not give me a breathing space until he travelled to Ghana and I went home.”

The alleged survivor also told the court that the defendant sent N5,000 to her from Ghana to treat herself because of the tears she had.

“He got back to Nigeria with his two children and wife, and when the wife asked why I could not walk well, bishop told her I contacted a disease from toilet.

“He came to meet me about 3.30 a.m. in the guest room and brought out a rod for me to swear with, that I would run mad if I should tell anyone that he raped me, which I did out of fear.

“He took me to First City Hospital, Lekki, where Dr Tina Clement, a member of the church attended to me, ran some tests, gave me drugs and sent the results to him.

“When the doctor asked what happened to me, bishop told me to tell her I was raped by my friend, and he was with me throughout the tests,” she said.

A computer printout of chats between her and the defendant was admitted in evidence.

Oluwafeyiropo is also alleged to have had sexual intercourse with one other person and sexually assaulted another, aged 19 years, by forcefully sucking her breasts.

According to Lagos State Government, which is prosecuting the case, the alleged offences contravene Sections 260(2) and 263 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Justice Ramon Oshodi adjourned the case until May 24 for cross-examination of the witness and continuation of trial.

NAN

May 9, 2023