The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over the failure of the Nigeria Police Force’s Crack Team to arrest suspects in the gang rape of a 16-year-old girl in Imo State.
The incident occurred in December 2023 at a church in Amumara, Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Government Area.
Despite the AIG Zone 9’s directive to the Crack Team to take over the investigation and arrest the suspects, the rights group said that no arrests have been made over seven months later.
RULAAC alleges conspiracy and attempt to cover up the crime by the police, including the DPO of Ezinihitte Mbaise Divisional Police Headquarters.
The victim’s mother according to the petition was offered money to drop the case and received threats when she refused.
RULAAC demands justice and accountability for the minor’s ordeal, in the petition dated July 10, 2024 and signed by its Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma.
The RULAAC boss said, “The head of the investigation team confirmed that the team had asked the local division to assist them in arresting the suspects and to inform them to come and move them, but this has not happened.
“He also complained that the mother of the victim is yet to bring her daughter for her statement to be obtained.
“She was also asked to bring along the medical report obtained from Aboh Mbaise General Hospital regarding the medical examination conducted on her daughter following the sexual violence.”
He added, “RULAAC is particularly concerned about the fate that this sexual abuse imposes on the girl. The trauma of her experience, the effects on her physical and psychological well-being, and her future.
“We believe that this may not be the first time the culprits would have committed similar heinous acts of sexual violence against women and girls who may not want to speak out because of shame and other cultural inhibitions.
“Letting them get away with this crime would be to embolden them to remain threats to society. Those who throw money around to shield culprits of such a heinous crime are not only compounding a felony but are also enabling crimes.
“Any member of the victim’s family who succumbs to pressure to ‘settle’ a case of rape and defilement would be culpable for compounding felony.
“Failure by the police to effectively investigate this case with a view to prosecuting the culprits and their enablers will amount to failing an innocent brutalised girl and her poor family and community.
“There is no report or indication of police demanding or receiving money in this case to carry out an investigation. But the inability of the girl’s family to provide money to support police investigation should not be a barrier to her getting the justice she deserves.
“We call on the Nigeria Police to expedite action to ensure effective investigation, arrest, and prosecution of the suspects and others involved in shielding the suspects and compounding felony in this case.”
“RULAAC respectfully requests the IGP to order expedited action to ensure effective investigation, arrest, and prosecution of the suspects and others involved in shielding the suspects and compounding felony in this case,” it added.
