Crime
Updated: May 08, 2021

Lest We Forget: Unresolved Sexual Assault Cases In Nigeria

By Bolanle Akinlade
May 08, 2021
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Recent popular social media reports in Nigeria have beamed a spotlight on the incidence of rape and defilement of minors which appear to be on the rise in the country.

Already, UNICEF had reported that one out of four girls are sexually assaulted before they attain the age of 18 in Nigeria. But in contrast, the Nigerian National Anti-Trafficking Agency reported that only about 32 rape convictions were recorded between 2019 and 2020.

In the absence of many viable alternatives, social media appears to provide succor, voice, and support to victims of sexual assaults, increasing victims' confidence and providing an air of the needed safe space to speak out and get justice.

Some victims use social media to achieve resolution so they can move on with their lives. They are satisfied simply naming and shaming their assailants on social media platforms without filing a formal report with the police. Other victims have done more than tell their stories on social media. They have gone ahead to garner massive support, including pro bono legal and medical aid regardless of the low rape convictions in Nigeria.

Also, Non-governmental Organisations such as the Mirabel Centre, are devoted to getting justice for such victims while providing other support.

Here are a few popular sexual assault cases that have been trending on and offline from 2019 to date.

#JusticeForRape

In 2019, the popular hashtag #JusticeForRape trended on social media. 23-year-old, Bose, was drugged and raped by Don-Chima and Segun Rasaq at the De Lankaster Hotel and Suites, owned by Don-Chima's father.

Although the culprits have been arrested and charged to court, the trial is painfully dragging on, suffering series of adjournments.

At the last adjourned date, the prosecutor from the Director of Public Prosecutor’s office announced that there are no more witnesses to testify in the case. He thereafter closed their case.

Meanwhile, the State Prosecutor failed to call principal witnesses that would help make the case watertight, the Foundation For Investigative Journalism (FIJ) reported, regarding the last court sitting on March 23, 2020. Other reports reveal that one of the accused persons had the strong backing of his influential father.

The matter has now been adjourned until May 18, 2021.

#JusticeForBarakat
Barakat

Nigeria was barely out of the COVID-19 lockdown when the news of a series of rape and murder cases were reported in the Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State.

One of these cases involved an 18-year-old student of the Federal College of Animal and Production Technology, Apata, Ibadan.

The teenager, Barakat Bello, who was undertaking the National Diploma program in Science Laboratory Technology, was attacked, gang-raped, and killed behind her family home within the Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State on June 1, 2020.

A series of backlash followed the event which resulted in a couple of protests demanding justice for the victim.

The Oyo State Police Command on July 8, 2020, confirmed the arrest of some suspects, including a ritualist who was linked to a series of killings.

The ritualist who was identified as Sunday Shodipe had said that he received N500 and food for each of the persons he murdered in the area. A subsequent report revealed that Shodipe escaped police custody but was later apprehended and rearrested according to Oyo State Police Command.

Not much has been heard about the case since then.

#IStandWithBusolaDakolo

Busola Dakolo, a celebrity photographer and wife to singer Timi Dakolo alleged that she was raped by Biodun Fatoyinbo, a senior pastor at the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA) when she was a teenager.

Busola’s disclosure in an interview in June 2019 sparked a lot of outbursts from Nigerians on social media, forcing the pastor to take a temporary leave from the ministry.

When Fatoyinbo finally responded denying the allegation, Busola received a lot of backlash from some Nigerians who accused her of lying against the man of God.

She was prompted to file an action against the pastor. Unfortunately, Fatoyinbo countersued and in November 2019, a Nigerian Court decided in Fatoyinbo's favour. Busola was ordered to pay the sum of N1 million in damages to the Pastor.

According to some reports, the odds were against Busola, however, the police investigation has been concluded and the matter has been handed over to the ministry of justice.

Baba ijesha Rape Saga
Ijesha

One of the popular cases currently trending is the sexual assault allegation made against the popular Yoruba Actor, Olarenwaju James, aka Baba Ijesha.

Comedienne Prince Adekola Adekoya filed a report against the Actor on April 19, 2021, at the Sabo Police Station for sexually assaulting her 14-year-old foster child.

The case has since been transferred to the Gender Unit of the State CID, Panti, Yaba, Lagos for investigation.

This case, like many others, has received media outbursts from Nigerians including Nollywood actors like Iyabo Ojo, who has been quite vocal since the news got on social media.

A few days ago, a report that the police were issued the directive to release Baba Ijesha on bail generated a lot of reactions. According to the police, it is just a case of indecent assault which is bailable according to Law.

Following the rumors of his possible release, a Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) footage of the Nigerian actor molesting and sexually assaulting the 14-year-old child was released to the public.

About 7,500 people have signed a petition to prevent Ijesha's release.

The embattled Baba Ijesha, who blamed his action on a 'spiritual attack' is still in police custody.

#FindHinyHumoren
Hiny

A job seeker, Iniobong Umoren, was declared missing on Thursday, April 29 when her friend announced on Twitter that Umoren was in trouble after going for a job interview along Awka Ibom Airport road, South-South Nigeria.

According to reports, Humoren announced on Twitter on Tuesday, April 27 that she was in need of a job and got an interview invite from a fellow Twitter user.

Umoren's friend with Twitter handle @UmohUduak1, had initiated the search on Thursday, April 29 after Umoren had sent her a one-second distress Whatsapp voice note.

Umoh said that she tried calling Umoren but could not reach her which prompted her to call for help online. Umoren's body was unfortunately discovered in a shallow grave in Uyo, the capital city of Akwa Ibom after a police search.

Following an investigation on the case, the Police in Akwa Ibom State, identified the killer of Umoren, as 20-year-old Uduak Frank Akpan.

In the statement by the police, the suspect owned up to being a serial rapist, with Umoren as one of his several other victims.

According to the perpetrator's confession, he lured Umoren to his house under the guise of giving her a job but ended up sexually and physically abusing her, leading to her death. He added that he dragged and buried her in a shallow grave in his father’s compound to cover his tracks.

The body of the deceased has been exhumed and deposited at the University of Uyo teaching hospital (UUTH) for autopsy.

Akpan in his confession stated that his Local Government Chairman was aware of his atrocity and never handed him over to the police.

Further investigation is still ongoing and the police have said that the suspect will be charged to court once the investigation is concluded.