Rivers Court Remands Father Of Rape Victim For Collecting Money From Alleged Rapist

Chief Magistrate Felicitas Amanze of Port Harcourt Magistrate Court has remanded one Wigoh Enuolara, father of a twelve- year-old-girl in Eleme, Port Harcourt, for allegedly collecting eight hundred thousand naira (N800,000) naira from one Collins Azunna, a 39-year-old man who allegedly defiled his daughter.

Edwin Woka, Counsel to the suspect had told the court on Wednesday that the victim’s father collected N800,000 from the family of the suspect, adding that the suspect was only charged to court when he refused to be extorted further by the father of the victim.

E.B Igwe, a counsel for Enuolara, informed the court that his client did not agree to be paid off by the suspect, but added that the Investigating Police Officer at Eleme Police Division pressured his client to accept the settlement.

He said further that Enuolara claimed the IPO, Rita, deceived him to collect the N800,000 at the Police station after he informed her that his daughter had serious health challenge as a result of the rape and he needed money to save her life.

Chief Magistrate Amanze, after going through the case file, noted that there is a document showing that the father of the victim actually collected money and wrote withdrawal letter at Eleme Police Division.

The Chief Magistrate ordered the accused and the father of the victim to be remanded at Port Harcourt Correctional Centre and adjourned further hearing to 13 January, 2022.

Prince Wiro of the Centre For Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign said the decision of the Court will send warning signal to parents/guardians who may want to tow the same path.

On her part, Esther Achor-Korienta of FIDA Rivers, said the decision of the court will serve as deterrent to others .