Outcry as Police Allegedly Delay Trial of Officer in Rape Case
Mrs Aramide Olupona, the mother of a 17-year-old girl allegedly raped by an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), has accused the Nigeria Police Force of stalling the case to allow the accused officer, Owolabi Akinlolu, to retire in December.
The harrowing incident reportedly occurred on June 29 at Ogudu Police Station, Lagos. The teenager recounted that Akinlolu lured her to the station under the guise of recovering her stolen phone, only to lock her in his office and assault her.
Despite the Lagos State Police Command announcing in August that its investigation into the case had been completed and forwarded to its headquarters in Abuja, Mrs Olupona claims there has been no progress.
“They plan to let him retire in December rather than dismiss him,” she told City Round. “They want to trial him after retirement so he can continue to collect his pension. Is this fair to my daughter or to other victims out there?”
Mrs Olupona alleged that silence from the authorities over the past three months is part of a deliberate attempt to shield the officer from dismissal. She expressed dismay over the message such inaction sends to survivors of sexual violence and the public.
Dr Joe Odumakin, President of Women Arise for Change Initiative, condemned the incident, urging Mrs Olupona and her daughter to persist in their quest for justice. “Sexual violence against women and girls is a global menace. We must ensure this case is not buried,” Odumakin stated.
She added that the alleged rapist is currently in prison, while other complicit officers have faced disciplinary measures, including dismissal and demotion.
Olumide Omosebi, Chief Executive Officer of Gnosis Help Initiative, called for the case to be escalated to the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja. “An orderly room trial is essential to ensure justice,” he stressed.
Attempts to reach Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, for comments were unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls or messages.
The case has sparked widespread outrage, with activists demanding justice and calling for reforms in handling cases of sexual violence involving law enforcement personnel. Nigeria, France Seal €300M Deal for Economic Development
