Executive Director of CEE-HOPE, Betty Abah, has called on the Nigerian government to expedite judgement on a rape case in Otukpo, Benue State in which a 61-year old man raped and impregnated a 14- year old girl.
Youths in Otukpo, had apprehended the rapist grand dad, Ochedikwu Solomon who committed the heinous crime against the 14-year old house help.
When apprehended by the youths of the area on 7th November, the rapist quickly hid the girl to cover up his act.
After his arrest, the betting merchant in the Otia area of the town who admitted he was responsible for the pregnancy of the girl who works for his neighbour, was arrested and detained.
Solomon had boasted nobody could touch him and allegedly ‘greases’ the police’s palms to secure his bail.
The police however asked the youths to produce the rape victim claiming it was not right to keep detaining the rapist.
It was said nobody made any attempt whatsoever to find the victim or pacify her sick mother who came from the village and had been wailing all along.
Meanwhile, the Benue State chapter of FIDA, an association of female lawyers, and Betty Abah reached out to the Otukpo LGA Chairman, Mr. George Alli, who was out of town at the time of the assault.
On his return, the Chairman waded into action after seeing the petitions on ground and contacted FIDA strong woman, Magdalyne Dura.
Rapist Grandpa Solomon
As at the time of filing this report, both girl and the rapist have been rounded up by the vigilante members and already at the police station.
The Local Government Chairman, Mr. Alli, a young administrator, who is well known in his constituency as an exemplar of administrative acumen in running the Otukpo Local Government has been commended for his efforts in seeking justice for the victim.
Following Ochanya Ogbanje’s death, Mr. Alli held an event in Otukpo to honour her memory during which he named a street after the 13-year old whose life was brutally terminated by a father and son devilish duo.
Observers in Benue State have said Alli’s intervention is the first of such public gesture by any entity in the state in response to the case which has captivated the entire country in the last couple of weeks.
According to Abah, “Alli has proved his intolerance for sexual violence especially those against minors in his domain.”
Civil society groups working on the case have also appreciated journalists, Udeh Adole, Mr. Aboyi, Pastor Israel, Desmond Oogwu, FIDA Benue officials who have all remained dedicated to ensuring justice since the case came to light.
Meanwhile, the civil society groups have also vowed to get justice for the little girl to serve as deterrence to other paedophiles and ensure the safety of other children.
