RAPE CONVICTIONS IN RURAL EDO STATE

On the 24th of February 2017, a 16yr old female student of Ososo Grammar School, Edo State, Nigeria was gang raped by three men.....

THE CONSOLATION JUSTICE 

Since its establishment ten years ago BraveHeart Initiative for Youth & Women (BHI) has supported youthled advocacy efforts against child sexual abuse, including early and unwanted pregnancy, rape and genderbased violence.

 In Edo State, there are numerous reports of rape and defilement that go unreported and unpunished. The cost of litigations is a major challenge that prevents survivors from seeking justice. 

BraveHeart Initiative decided to act where majority of the society failed. The young people at BHI felt sufficiently concerned and dissatisfied about this societal problem and are doing something about it, including risking violations and abuse to themselves. It is very difficult to get convicts for sexual abuse all over the world due to the complicated processes. However, BraveHeart Initiative-BHI in its 10yrs of work has successfully recorded two cases where culprits were convicted.


 On the 24th of February 2017, a 16yr old female student of Ososo Grammar School, Edo State, Nigeria was gang raped by three men. Two of them namely Monday Ogedengbe and Dada Iyamah sexually violated her without her consent while the third (who is still at large) covered her mouth and held her down. 



She was dragged out of her school compound and gang raped by the two young men with assistance of a third. The culprits threatened to kill her to prevent her disclosure of the crime.


 The culprits were apprehended by the Ososo Vigilante and handed over to the Nigeria Police Igarra Division. The case was reported at Igarra Police Station on the 27th of February and BHI's Executive Director (Ms Priscilla Usiobaifo) was contacted. BraveHeart Initiative for Youth & Women (BHI), a YouthLed NGO promoting Young People's Sexual/Reproductive Health and Rights officially took up the case and initiated intervention.


 The organisation freely provides tripartite services to rape survivors which include Medicals, Psychosocial and Legal Aid. The girl’s parent insisted on not prosecuting but BHI's ED stood in as guardian with support from the girl's uncle and cousins. 23rd of March 2017, was the first appearance at the Magistrate Court Igarra, Edo State. The two accused persons pleaded guilty to the crime and were convicted and sentenced to 4yrs imprisonment each with an option of fine of 400,000naira each. 


BHI strongly condemn the option of fine because no amount can justify such violently traumatic crime but see this as a victory anyway. The rapists are convicts and their names will appear on the Edo State Sexual Offenders Register. Sadly, no relative of the girl was at the court hearing. BHI Staff, Representatives of the Social Dept, Akoko-Edo LGA were present in court in solidarity with the Survivor. BraveHeart Initiative calls for a decentralised Family Unit of the Edo State Police Command to ease the investigative process.


 BHI strongly advocates for the establishment of FAMILY COURTS at all senatorial zones in Edo State. BHI's clarion call is for all to join in the fight against all forms of Gender Based Violence. As we break the silence on rape; we must all ensure to follow through with the processes. Inconclusive rape cases only breed opportunities for more rape incidents.


 Each survivor deserves justice!!