April 16, 2014
The Commissioner of Police
Lagos State Police Command
Ikeja.
Dear sir,
RE: RAPE OF A FEMALE DETAINEE (Miss IDOWU AKINWUNMI) BY SP ADEKUNLE AWE, DPO, ONIKAN POLICE DIVISION.
Network on Police Reform in Nigeria NOPRIN is shocked at the information it received today from 31 year-old Miss IDOWU AKINWUNMI that SP ADEKUNLE AWE, DPO, ONIKAN POLICE DIVISION raped her in his office on Tuesday, April 15, 2014.
The victim who informed NOPRIN that she works at ‘Abua Mamaput & Bar’ (makeshift restaurant) at 11, Keffi Road, Ikoyi said she was arrested by police officers at ONIKAN POLICE DIVISION on Tuesday, April 15, 2014 around 1a.m. from her work place over a complaint by her employer, one Mrs. PELUMI IDOWU.
She was detained in the Cell, and at about 10p.m., one Inspector Ajiduwe brought her to the office of the DPO where the DPO raped her. She said that the DPO forcefully had canal knowledge of her without protection in his office after the DPO had threatened to send her to prison.
She was released after the IPO- one Inspr. Taiwo- extorted the sum of ten thousand naira from her. Now, she complains of severe stomach pains following the said sexual abuse by the DPO.
NOPRIN has inquired from the DPO SP ADEKUNLE AWE. Although he naturally denied the allegation, but his shaky voice and incoherent speech betrays a sense of guilt. He however, said the victim could come back and collect the ten thousand naira bribe they extorted from her after raping her.
NOPRIN commends ACP EDGAL IMOHIMID, AREA COMMANDER, LION BUILDING for ensuring that the victim gets a Police report to enable her go for medical examination and report. This was initially denied her by the officers she met at the station before NOPRIN called on the area Commander to intervene.
NOPRIN also commends the victim who has expressed her determination to fight to a logical conclusion for justice. Many victims of rape are often too ashamed and unwilling to report or seek redress. Thus, perpetrators hide under the silence.
This readiness by the victim to fight will not only encourage many others who live and die in silence from the trauma of sexual abuse and violence. It will also help curb the excesses of rapists in police uniform such as DPO, SP ADEKUNLE AWE whom we have it on good authority that he has been involved in no less than four previous cases of rape which were covered up for him.
NOPRIN calls on the CP Lagos and the Inspector of General of Police’s Monitoring Unit to immediately apprehend and investigate SP ADEKUNLE AWE and ensure appropriate sanctions for him for bringing the Nigeria Police Force to disrepute through his beastly and unprofessional conduct.
NOPRIN also calls on the National Human rights Commission to ensure that the victim receives redress, protection and adequate medical attention and counselling.
Okechukwu Nwanguma
National Coordinator