Learning that his seven-year-old daughter had been raped not once but three times by Joe Okeke, a septuagenarian neighbour, was not on the list of news farmer Friday Izuigwe hoped to hear in November.

Izuigwe, is a 40-year-old resident of Ndeaboh, Aninri Local Government Area (LGA) of Enugu State.

He told FIJ on Friday morning that the third incident happened two weeks ago while he was away at his farm, and he only learnt about it when his daughter complained of pain in her private part.

“It was later that she disclosed what Joe Okeke did to her and that it had happened three times,” said the father.

“Okeke took her to the back of his house and had his way with her. He always covered her mouth and told her not to tell anybody.

“While my daughter was complaining of the pain she was feeling, she said anytime she wanted to urinate, poo would come out and when she wants to poo, she would urinate. She’s always feeling pain.”

The seven-year-old girl. Image source: Basil Ude Ikpenwa on Facebook.

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Upon learning of the incident, Izuigwe cried out to neighbours, who helped facilitate the report of the case at the Aninri Police Division.

The police arrested Okeke.

However, the justice that the 40-year-old father hoped to get from the police seemed elusive, as the law enforcement agency kept dragging its feet in a manner that suggested they were attempting to sweep the case under the carpet.

First, the police asked Izuigwe to provide a N130,000 mobilisation fee so they could arraign Okeke in court in the capital city. He could not afford such an amount.

The police later asked the father of the rape victim to accept a N200,000 compensation that the perpetrator was willing to pay.

“At one point, they even released the man from their custody It was after someone did a video on Facebook, which went public, that the police hurriedly came to re-arrest him yesterday, Thursday,” said Izuigwe.

The Facebook post read:

The poor father is being cajoled with everything including requesting him to hire a bus to take the police to Enugu for the case which they know he cannot afford. As it stands now, the girl’s life is at stake. No medical attention. VVF symptoms are already evident and she is languishing in the village. Please, kindly share this post till the Police Commissioner in Enugu State directs the police to investigate the matter appropriately.

Basil Ude Ikpenwa, a concerned Facebook user, shared a post along with two videos on Thursday, complaining about the Enugu police frustrating the poor father’s efforts to get justice for his daughter.

One of the videos shows the girl, barefooted, with her back to the cameraman. The second video is that of her father speaking in Igbo about the injustice meted out to the girl.

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FIJ understands that Izuigwe took his daughter to a hospital, but he could only do as much as he could afford. He wants proper medical care and justice for her.

“Right now, I am buying her drugs, but she still needs medical attention. I am calling on people to help me because I am poor and I have no one to turn to. I need justice,” he said.

While speaking with FIJ, Izuigwe said his wife had left him and had remarried, leaving their seven-year-old in his care. Along with his daughter, his younger sister stays with him, too.

He also said it was not unusual for him to leave the daughter at home to play with other children in the compound given that she was not enrolled in school.

“People usually leave their children at home to play around in the compound when everybody leaves for the farm,” Izuigwe explained.

FIJ also learnt that the police have not taken the father’s statement.

Daniel Ndukwe, the public relations officer for the Enugu police command, told FIJ on Friday that he did not have details of the incident but would make inquiries and provide an update later.

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In response to claims that the police were trying to sweep the case under the carpet, he said, “It is not possible.”

Ndukwe also said that people often try to appeal to emotions when it comes to sexual assault-related cases.

“Rape cases are not even handled at the divisional level. At first, they will do their preliminary investigation. It is a non-compoundable case. Non-compoundable cases are to be handled at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID). It is not something one will want to meddle in at the divisional level,” the Enugu PPRO told FIJ.

“All the same, I will try to get what the case is all about. I don’t have any firsthand information. But whether alleged rape or defilement or anything of that nature, it’s not to be handled at the divisional level.

“It is not an issue of social media, and so far it has been reported to the police division, it will be transferred to the state CID for conclusive investigation. I will ask and know what has happened.”

When FIJ asked when an update would be provided on his findings, he said he was “a little busy now” but would provide feedback later.

Abimbola Abatta is a reporter with FIJ, writing reports in partnership with Report for the World which matches local newsrooms with talented emerging journalists to report on under-covered issues around the globe.
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