In light of the recent reports by Punch Newspaper, a deeply disturbing case has come to the fore, involving a police officer attached to Ogudu Police Station in Ojota, Lagos, accused of raping a 17-year-old girl. This deplorable act not only violates the fundamental principles of law enforcement but also contradicts the very essence of the Nigerian Constitution and other relevant legal provisions.
According to Section 34(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, "No person shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment." Rape, a form of torture and degrading treatment, is a flagrant violation of this constitutional guarantee.
Furthermore, the Criminal Code Act (1990) expressly criminalizes rape and related offenses, with Section 357 stipulating that "Any person who has unlawful carnal knowledge of a woman or girl, without her consent, or with her consent, if the consent is obtained by force or by means of threats or intimidation of any kind, or by fear of harm, or by means of false and fraudulent representation as to the nature of the act, or, in the case of a married woman, by personating her husband, is guilty of an offence which is called rape.
In addition, Section 356 recognizes the vulnerability of young persons by imposing a higher penalty for sexual offenses against individuals under the age of 18. This is pertinent in the case at hand, as the alleged victim is only 17 years old.
As a nation committed to the rule of law and protection of fundamental human rights, we must condemn in the strongest terms such heinous acts, especially when perpetrated by those tasked with safeguarding the public's welfare. We call on the relevant authorities to ensure a thorough, impartial, and expeditious investigation into this matter and, if the officer is found guilty, impose the full force of the law.
It is crucial that cases like this serve as a catalyst for comprehensive police reform in Nigeria. Law enforcement officials must be held to the highest ethical standards, and any violations of these standards must be met with swift and decisive consequences. Only through concerted efforts to address systemic issues within the police force can we hope to restore public trust in our institutions and create a safer, more just society for all.
I’m Chief Dr Patrick Osagie Eholor otherwise known as Ultimate Equal, President One Love Foundation