A 31-year-old lady, who was detained at a divisional police station on Lagos Island, has accused the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the station of raping her. The lady, identified simply as Miss Akinwunmi, alleged that the DPO, a Superintendent of Police (SP), instructed one Inspector Ajiduwe to bring her to his office for debriefing of her case.
The DPO (names withheld) allegedly pounced on the lady and raped her after Ajiduwe left the office. Akinwunmi, who claimed she was arrested on April 15, about 1am, added that she was reported to the police by her ‘madam,’ identified as Mrs Pelumi, who runs a local cafeteria at number 11, Keffi Road, Ikoyi, Lagos State.
“I was detained in the cell and about 10pm, one Inspector Ajiduwe brought me out and took me to the DPO’s office, where he raped me in his office without protection. He threatened to send me to prison if I tell anyone. I later paid N10,000 to the policemen at the station for my bail,” the lady said. Akinwunmi, who gave the name of her Investigating Police Officer (IPO) as one Inspector Taiwo, complained that since the rape incident, she had been experiencing stomach pains.
A police source said the DPO was fond of raping female detainees in his custody. “This is the fourth time he has been accused of raping detainees in his care,” the source added. When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Briade, said it was a grievous allegation.
She added that the police hierarchy was still investigating allegation. But the Network on Police Reforms in Nigeria (NOPRIN Foundation), a Non- Governmental Organisation (NGO), which has taken up the matter, said that the girl and her boyfriend yesterday were trying to get police report that would enable them go to a general hospital for amedical examination.
NOPRIN’s spokesman, Okechukwu Nwanguma, said he had spoken with the girl and she confirmed the story. He said: “The boyfriend said that they are both ready to fight and seek justice. The DPO and I spoke.
Although he denied the allegation as expected, his voice was trembling and he was panicking. I have asked the girl to go for a medical examination. “NOPRIN is shocked at the information it received today from Miss Akinwunmi that a DPO raped her in his office on Tuesday, April 15, 2014.
“She said that the DPO forcefully had carnal knowledge of her without protection in his office after he had threatened to send her to prison. She was released after the IPO, one Inspector Taiwo, extorted the sum of N10,000 from her. “Now, she complains of severe stomach pains following the said sexual abuse by the DPO. “NOPRINI has inquired from the DPO.
Although he naturally denied the allegation, but his shaky voice and incoherent speech betrays a sense of guilt. He also said the victim could come back and collect the N10,000 bribe they extorted from her after raping her.
“NOPRIN commends ACP Edgal Imohimid, Area Commander, Lion Building, for ensuring that the victim gets a police report to enable her to go for medical examination and report. This was initially denied her by the officers she met at the station before NOPRIN called on the area commander to intervene.”
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