Ministry Wants Stiffer Punishment For Lecturer, Others For Assaulting Girl 19
The Nasarawa State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has vowed to ensure stiffer punishment to Dr. Fred Ekpe-Ayokhai, Lecturer with Federal University of Lafia and three others for assaulting a young girl of 19 years in Lafia.
The condemnation is contained in a statement signed by Hajiya Aisha Rufai-Ibrahim, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development and made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Lafia the state capital.
The Women Affairs Commissioner also lauded the police for the kind of attention given to the case and for arraigning the suspects in court within the shortest time to ensure justice to the victim.
Hajiya Rufai-Ibrahim said the ongoing prosecution of the suspects would serve as deterrent to others and called on those still in the habits of assaulting women and children to desist, as it is not longer tolerated in the state.
“Our gender-based violence response team and justice-based groups are monitoring the case with a view to ensuring that no stone is left unturned in the bid to get fair hearing and justice for the victim.
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“The state government under Gov.
Abdullahi Sule, considers, in particular, the action of the prime suspect, a person who is supposed to mentor youths, as unpardonable, shameful and condemnable.
“The state is reputed for its respect for human and girl-child rights and extant laws from which all actions of the government are conceived, tailored and implemented,” she added.
She therefore assured women and youths in the state that the unfortunate action exhibited by the suspects would not be swept under the carpet and their rights would, at times, be promoted and protected.
It could be recalled that the police command in the state had on October 26, 2022 arraigned the suspects, Dr Ekpa-Ayokhai 53 years, Emmanuela Ayokhai 18 years, Bob Praise-Ayokhai 23 years and Saint-Dan Ayokhai 21years at High Court 1, Lafia before Justice Aisha Aliyu, the Chief Judge (CJ) of the state.
The suspects were arraigned on six count charges of Criminal Conspiracy, House Breaking and Criminal Force, Assault to woman with intent to outrage modesty, Kidnapping and Inflicting physical Injury.
The Chief Judge has assigned the case to High Court Obi, and the suspects were remanded at Lafia Custodian Centre.
