Tina Amanda
The Rivers State Police Command has arraigned five suspects before a Magistrate Court for allegedly raping an eleven-year-old girl at Buguma in Asari Toru local government area of the state.
The suspects include 23-year-old Ebi Danagogo Jack, 22 years Fubara George, 20 years Precious Omubo Wokoma, 53 years Dennis Amaye Lugard, and 32 years Alalibo Harry.
The five male suspects identified as the victim’s stepfather, her school teacher, a pastor of Winners Chapel Buguma, and two area boys are said to have at different times, sexually abused the minor from the age of 6 years.
Chief Magistrate Menenen Poromon after listening to counsels in the matter, directed for an amendment of the charge and adjourned the case to 6 December 2022, for the suspects to take their plea.
In an interview with our correspondent, the spokesperson of FIDA Rivers, Sophia Afoloyan, said the suspects must be prosecuted and brought to book, as they failed in their duty to protect a little orphaned girl.
“It’s sad, it’s disheartening to the level the society has gone so bad that one can not trust anybody. How will a little girl of eleven year old be raped by a teacher who was supposed to be a caregiver, defiled by a pastor of Winners Chapel Church in Buguma, and raped by her so-called stepfather; this same little was sexually abused by two hoodlums at the same time.
“This little girl, an orphan has gone through so much pain and torture in the hands of men who are supposed to be her father, and uncle, including the Church which ought to have provided shelter and protection to her. FIDA is angry, we are so bitter.
“The girl is so malnourished, sickly, and tiny. FIDA is calling on parents not to bring forth children they can not cater to; if you must bring forth children, be up and doing to take care of these children.
“No child begged to be brought into the world, we asked God for children. There are people out there begging God for children, if you can not take care of a child take him or her to the Ministry of Social Welfare where they will be given to families that can take care of them and not exposed to all vulnerable and sort of ills in society.
“We want to appreciate the Police for making sure all the suspects were arrested and arraigned before the court. We hope that the court will do justice to this and it will not be swept under the carpet, we are looking forward to a favourable hearing from the court.
“It’s a call for justice, it’s a cry for justice and FIDA will not relent in seeking and fighting for justice for the less privileged, the vulnerable, children and women in the society.”
