Ben Ezechime, Enugu
A Civil Rights group, Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN); has commended Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State for his prompt intervention in the case of a man, who allegedly continuously raped a 14 year old minor.
In a letter signed by its President, Olu Omotayo Esq, and addressed to the governor, he said that the governor’s prompt and very significant intervention had led to the arraignment of the suspect for possible prosecution.
Omotayo described Mbah’s action as “giving hope to the realization of child rights in Nigeria.”
According to him, the suspect (name withheld), allegedly had defiled the 14 years old child continuously in his house being the husband of the woman the young girl was serving as a house help.
He said: “We write to you to commend your intervention in respect of the above mentioned matter, which, if not for your intervention justice would have eluded the victim.”
Omotayo said that the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Zonal office, Enugu, where the complaint was first made to, released the suspect on bail just the next day after his arrest and interrogation.
“It is on record that it is through your intervention that the Department of State Security re-arrested the suspect, conducted a thorough investigation and arraigned the suspect in court which remanded him in prison custody, while awaiting the Ministry of Justice to formally arraign the suspect before the High Court for Rape and Defilement.
“I must also commend “The State” for the bold but rare step they took in pursuing this appeal.
“The normal reaction of the State is mainly to respond to an appeal but rarely do they appeal even in the face of a perverse decision.
“This case which bothers on a sexual offence against a minor is very significant and profound in its implications,” the group said.
CRRAN added that the prompt intervention of the government of the Enugu State was not to witch-hunting anybody “but to take a positive stand to demand for justice as obtainable in saner climes all over the world.”
“We also commend the steadfastness and courage of the mother of the victim Mrs. Chinwendu Ozioko, who was full of appreciation for your intervention,” Omotayo said.
