The administrator, Office of Edo State First Lady, Mrs Edesili Anani, has pledged that justice would be served for a 12-year-old girl, Esther Friday, who was allegedly gang-raped by five men on Christmas Eve, December 24.
The heinous crime happened in Igiafodio Awuyemi, Okpella, Etsako East local government area.
Speaking during a visit to the victim at the Daisy Ehainere Danjuma Centre, Mrs Anani vowed that the perpetrators would be punished according to the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law.
“The Edo State government will leave no stone unturned to ensure that these perpetrators are brought to book. Section 4 of the VAP Law defines rape, while Section 5 outlines the punishment. Edo State has zero tolerance for any form of violence, and we are standing firmly with the victim,” she stated.
Mrs Anani condemned the perpetrators, who reportedly filmed the act and circulated the video on social media, adding that the evidence strengthens the case against them.
“The video footage makes it impossible for anyone to cover up this crime. The law will take its course, and these individuals will be dealt with decisively,” she added.
She further commended the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella, His Royal Highness, Lukeman Akemokue, and his wife, Blessing for their swift action in bringing the case to light and ensuring that both the victim and her mother were relocated to Benin City for safety and medical care due to threats against their lives.
“I really want to commend your Highness. He did a fantastic work with his wife. It happened in his community, Okpella Kingdom; they didn’t hide it. Immediately he saw the videos, he took it up and I want to say that when things like these happen, speak out; speak out for somebody else because tomorrow it could be your own child,” she advised.
On his part, the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella, Akemokue, thanked Governor Monday Okpebholo and the Office of the First Lady for a fantastic job and proactive response, noting that the Okpella community would continue to support the administration.
Mrs Anani was also at the Edo State Police headquarters with the victim and other stakeholders. She commended the Police for responding promptly and appealed that the little girl gets justice.
In his response, the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Umoru Ozigi, commended Mrs Anani for the visit, assuring that Esther would get justice, disclosing that three persons are currently in police custody in connection with the crime.
