CSOs Occupy Makurdi Streets: Demand Justice for Karen
By Prosper Okoye
Six months after the death of 14-year old pupil of Premiere Academy, Lugbe, Abuja, Karen Aondodoo, who allegedly died as a result of the complications from the act of rape and sodomy perpetrated on her at school; incessant cries and petitions for justice have been ignored by authorities.
Civil society groups and concerned people of Benue state, 29, November, took to the streets of Makurdi, the Benue state capital in a peaceful protest to demand for justice for their sister and daughter, late Keren-Happuch Aondodoo Akpagher.
Lemmy Ughegbe, Chairman, Coalition of Gender Based Violence, and convener of the protest rally, said “even though we know that it is lawful that every family who has a deceased person should have access to their death medical report, the Police denied Karen’s family of the autopsy report.”
Fortunate for us, he continued, “the doctor that treated her earlier told her mother that her daughter had been sexually abused, as decaying condom particles were discovered inside of her virgina, and her urine test also showed contents of dead spermatozoa.
Despite efforts of the FCT police command to shield information in the medical report, through the efforts of our civil society coalition, which is made up of different persons from different walks of life, investigative journalist were able to get the medical report. It is written In the last paragraph: “excoriation of the labia majora, with condom inside of the child which caused her sepsis that spiked her blood sugar, leading to her death.”
He further stated that, since the death of Keren on 22nd of June, 2021, the silence disposition of the Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, and the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, in spite of the crucial role they ought to play to guaranty a safe space for the education of every Nigerian child, has worsened the situation and has showed a “conspiracy of silence.”
Acknowledging the powerful and corrupt nature of the management of Premier Academy Lugbe, Mr. Ughegbe, appealed to the Benue State Governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom and the first lady Dr. Eunice Ortom to intervene and ensure the late SS1 student gets justice.
Mr. Chris Akinsowon, Principal Premier Academy, a private Boarding school established on the 15th of October, 2005, has perpetually denied any case of rape in the school; despite the series of alleged evidences and anonymous social media confessions made by alleged ex-female students of the institution.
Meanwhile, Clerk of the Benue State House of Assembly, Barrister Bernard Nule, and Professor Magdalene Dura, who represented the Benue state governor and first lady, assured the protesters that the government will take adequate action to ensure justice for late Miss Karen, while praying that the almighty God restores peace to the bereaved family.
The mother of the deceased, Mrs. Vivien Akpagher, narrating the ordeal, demanded that the school authorities should released the CCTV footage of 15th and 18th June 2021, calling for justice so that the spirit of her late daughter can rest in peace. She also stated that the case has been transferred to the FCT Criminal investigation Department, after much appeal to the Inspector General of Police, Usman AKaili Baba.
The protesters who convened at about 7:30am at IBB square, marched to the Benue People’s House. Civil society organization’s including Ukan Kurugh foundation; Strength in Disability initiative; International federation of Women Lawyers and Eunice Spring of Life Foundation were present.
There were banners with descriptions like: “Justice 4 KAREN NATIONWIDE PROTEST,” “YOUR DAUGHTER MAYBE THE NEXT,” The IGP Usman Alkali Baba, Nigerians deserve diligent and transparent Investigation,” “Mallam Adamu AdamuYour Silence is Not Golden,” and “JUSTICE DELAYED IS JUSTICE DENIED.”
