By: Felix Ikpotor
A coalition of Non Governmental Organisations (NGO) such as the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) amongst other are now demanding justice for victims of sexual abuse and other forms of violence in Rivers State.
The NGOs who carried out a protest in Port Harcourt, the state capital on Friday, highlighted three recent cases of rape and other violence against women and the girl child.
The Chairperson of FIDA, Rivers State branch, Barr. Anthonia Osademe who addressed journalists unbehalf of the protesters highlighted the case of one Miss Eedebari Littia Gonis, a 9-year old girl who raped and strangled to death by one Mr. Eedebari Tambari at Bori in Khana LGA, that of Miss Nemia Itoemugh, a mother of four who was beaten to death by the father of her children, Mr. John Memoye in Abua/Odual local government area and a police inspector, Emmanuel Nsikak Etim Asanam of MOPOL 19 Barracks in Port Harcourt, who continually defiled his wife’s cousin of 9 years (names withheld) for three years.
Mrs Osademe explained that Miss Eedebari was defiled in a church premises in Bori while she went with her mother for Bible study by a boy of about 20 years who is also a member of the church, who lured her to a part of the church where he raped and killed her.
On the case of the inspector, the legal practitioner stated that the accused usually beat and pushes his wife out of the house in order to have his way with the little girl whom he usually drugs all through the night. She lamented that despite the formal report of the accused to the police, he is yet to be arrested while he is threatening to kill his wife, the little girl and her family members.
Osademe who recalled a similar case of one Miss Chikamso Victory Mezuwuba who was also defiled and gruesomely murdered by her alleged relative said, ” In all of these cases and numerous others which they represent, we condemn these acts of violence and demand justice for the victims and their families”. “Perpetrators of violence must be arrested and prosecuted to serve as deterrent to others in the society”. “We call on the Rivers State Commissioner of Police to ensure that all perpetrators of crime are arrested and charged to court for justice. Inspector Emmanuel Nsikak Etim Asanam should be arrested, detained and all allegations against him investigated and made to face the law”.
On her part, the President-elect of MWAN in Rivers State, Dr. Vetty Agala noted that the effect of the various abuses on the girl child and women is far reaching, hence the protest to register their displeasure and to also sensitize parents on the need to protect their children as those carrying out the acts in most cases are people close to the families.
The protesting NGOs called on the Rivers State Government especially the state House of Assembly to adopt and sign into law the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition)Act of 2015. Meanwhile, Apostle Gonis Kogbara who is the father of the deceased girl and Mr. Progress Sunday who is the brother to the late Itoemugh expressed deep sadness while calling on the police to ensure justice is done in the matter.
