By Abel Johngold Orheruata
In its resolve towards dealing with Gender Based Violence (GBV) issues and in line with the 16 days activism to zero tolerance in GBV, the Delta State Government, through the State Ministry of Women Affairs in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force are set to proscute and arraign three rape offenders in the State.
In a case referred on 18th November, 2024, at the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Ughelli North Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta State, a 16 years old student of Otovwodo Grammar School Ughelli, named XXXX (Classified), living at Slaughter Road Ughelli, was allegedly raped by 3 boys on the 17th of November, 2024, at about 6:30pm in Otovwodo Grammar School Ughelli, when she was passing through the school premises on her way from an errand.
The victim was allegedly ambushed, tied up in a classroom and was subsequently raped by the 3 boys who took her in turns.
According to the SARC report of December 5, 2024, the veginal examination shows a “broken hyperemic hymen”.
The report, which as signed by the Social Welfare Officer, Ughelli North LGA, Ubiomo Davidson Efetomere, added that the boys (rapists) namely: Henry Godwin, Orovwoni Christian and James Power who are in their late teens and early twenties were apprehended and taken to Court and they were subsequently remanded custody at the Federal Correctional Centre, Okere Warri.
This newspaper also gathered that in a Police report dated 29th November, 2024, informing the Court of the probable cause to order the remand of the rapists in custody in Federal Correctional Centre, the Legal Officer (O/C Legal) of the Nigeria Police Force, Area Command Ughelli, stated that, “the trio are reasonably suspected to have committed the offence of Rape, punishable under Section 358 of the Criminal Code Cap C21. Vol. 1 Laws of Delta State of Nigeria 2006, within the jurisdiction of the Honourable Court.
In a phone call with Mrs. Kessiena Ufuoma Aroture, the Matron of the Sexual Assault Referral Centre Ughelli, she said the Centre has so far recorded conviction of four case relating to defilement of underaged girls in the Council Area and another pending one is coming up tomorrow at the Court.
She disclosed that on hearing of the defilement case. the Centre’s medical Team swung into action by attending to the girl medically and invited the police to investigate the case which was done and later got conviction to remand the rapists.
“We have done several cases like that but this is the latest of defilement case by the State Ministry of Women Affairs”. The Matron stated.
Spade Nigeria News (Online) also gathered that the Delta State Ministry of Women Affairs lent a powerful voice to the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, amplifying the call for collective action and solidarity in addressing the pressing global issue. The Ministry’s advocacy is a powerful reminder of the need to stand united in the fight against GBV. These campaigns have evolved to tackle cultural, systemic, and policy challenges, one message remains unequivocal: There is no excuse for violence against women and girls.
All efforts to get the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe to speak on the case did not yielded results as his phone calls from Spade Nigeria News Online were not answered. While he just responded “Pls remind me on monday” to Whatsapp messages sent to same phone number.
