Minister vows to prosecute mother, stepfather over child’s molestation

The Federal Government says legal action will be taken against a couple, Mr. Ifeanyi and Mrs. Christabel Ewuru, in Enugu State over alleged molestation and neglect of their eight-year-old daughter and inflicting diseases on her.

Mrs. Uju Ohanenye, the Minister of Women Affairs, confirmed this while addressing the media in Abuja.

According to her, the ministry will take legal action against the couple to ensure the survivor gets justice as well as serve as a deterrent to others who might want to tow the same line.

Ohanenye expressed deep concern over incessant cases of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), harmful traditional practises, and other forms of abuse meted out to women, children, and the vulnerable.

“This eight-year-old girl has been molested severally by her stepfather, who has given her diseases and broken her walls, which have been confirmed in the hospital, as well as by the lawyer and mother of this girl.

“The matter was taken to court, but unfortunately, the magistrate released this man on bail.

“We want to know why he was released despite the allegations against him simply because the woman cried that she didn’t want her husband to be jailed.

“What about the voiceless girl? What about the torture, emotional pains the girl went through, and threats not to disclose the molestation?

“We are suing the woman for negligence. Because if she was not negligent, this girl would not have suffered this thing for a long time.

“And this woman had the guts to defend the man who did this to your daughter simply because you want to keep the marriage, or, what I don’t know,

“We are suing the man on behalf of the young girl to make sure he pays for his sin. The rule of law must prevail. The truth must prevail. Justice must be done on behalf of this young girl,” she assured.

According to her, the establishment of mobile courts will hasten up the prosecution of SGBV and other harmful practises against women and children, as well as ensure survivors get justice.

“These are things that will make this girl feel better, and this will not affect her in the future as it should have done if she sees for sure that actions are being taken.

"There is no more room for these things in this country. No more business as usual. You commit a crime, and you go in for it.

“That is why we are still pleading with our President, Attorney General, and the chief judges in states to quickly approve the establishment of mobile courts so that it will enable us to accelerate matters concerning women's affairs and quickly defend them,” said the minister.

In another development, the minister said a pre-action letter will be sent to some staff on duty and management at the Maitama General Hospital over the alleged negligence and refusal to treat Miss Greatness Olorunfemi, the victim of “one chance”, before her death at the hospital.

“We were able to get the names of those on duty that day, the Medical Director and Chief Matron, Accident and Emergency.

“We will sue the staff, which will make others sit up. We have written a pre-action letter, which they will get to tell them about our intention to take them to court. And we are giving them seven days to reply to that.

“Then we are writing to the Public Complaints Committee at the National Assembly to look into the matter and call not only these people but all the CMDs of hospitals in FCT and even across the country.

“They need to summon them for these issues to be addressed once and for all. Nigerians cannot continue dying carelessly like that. Then we are equally writing to the Senate President on the same issue.

"Then, after the seven-day pre-action notice, the Ministry of Women Affairs, through the Minister for Women Affairs, will stand up for the lady and all Nigerian women and girls to defend them on this issue of treating them anyhow,” she said.

She explained that even though they had been informed that the ministry had been added to the panel for investigation into the matter, they had yet to receive any official letter on it.