A Delta state based human rights group known as Behind Bars Rights Foundation (BBRF), Monday took to the streets of Asaba, capital city of Delta state, to stage a peaceful protest against what it called the defilement of a two-year girl, Goodnews Johnson by a 52-year old landlord, Emeka Okwuosa.
Leading the peaceful protest, the Director General of the human rights group, Harrison Gwamnishu, condemned in strongest terms the defilement of little Goodnews by their landlord and the detention and torture of 12 year old Goodnews’s brother for five days when the matter was reported at the divisional police station at Nsukwa.
The protesters who stormed the Delta state government house to register their grievances over the defilement of little Goodnews, lamented the abuse of the little girl and the torture and unlawful detention of the 12 year old Sunday by the police and called for full scale investigation into the case to ensure that the culprit was brought to book.
Receiving the protesters led by Director General of the human rights group, Harrison Gwamnishu, at the government house gate, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, represented by his Senior Political Adviser, Funkekeme Solomon, commended the members of Behind Bars Rights Foundation for being there for the vulnerable in the society and assured that the state government would look into the matter.
The governor while promising to get to the root of the matter stated that his administration frowned seriously against any form of human rights violation and condemned the abuse of Goodnews and called for a thorough investigation into the case with a view to bringing the perpetrator to justice.
Meanwhile, in a petition addressed to the state Commissioner of Police, signed by the Director General of Behind Bars Rights Foundation (BBRF), Harrison Gwamnashu and the state Director of the foundation, Ikechukwu Omenogor, alleged that the police tortured 12 years old Sunday.
“The parents of the victim have spent money traveling to Asaba without any sign of justice, hence, the protest for the police authorities to take action. Sir, we call on you to get fully involved in this case for proper investigation in the interest of justice, equity and good conscience.”, the petition said.
Speaking with our correspondent, an indigene of the community who pleaded for anonymity disclosed that the defilement of little Goodnews Johnson occurred at Nsukwa community, Aniocha South local government area of the state few weeks ago.
According to the indigene, “On the 29th May, 2019, Goodnews’ father, Mr. Johnson, from Akwa Ibom State left his two years old daughter with his 12 years old nephew, Sunday, at home in search of daily bread. Shortly few minutes the victim’s father had left, their 40 years old randy landlord, Mr. Emeka Okuosa, sent Sunday, the 12 years old boy on an errand and then grabbed the 2 years old innocent child and raped her.
“On his return from the errand, Sunday met his little sister, the victim crying and bleeding from the private part and the case was was reported at the Divisional Police station at Nsukwa. The police initially left the landlord and arrested the 12 years old boy and detained him for five days in their cell. The boy said the DPO tortured him with a baton and accused him of raping his own little sister and the victim’s father had to pay N2000 before he was able to secure his release from custody.
“As we talk the suspect, 52-year old landlord, Emeka Okwuosa have been arrested and currently detained in the Delta State Criminal Investigation Department Asaba. The police has demanded for N10,000 from the victim’s father before they can charge the suspect to court and the suspect has spent more than a week at the SCID.” our source disclosed.
As at the time of filing in this report, the 52-year old landlord, Emeka Okwuosa, has been remanded in the Ogwashi-Uku prison.
