From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The Kogi State governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has been called upon to
Immediately suspend the Commissioner for water resources, Abdilmumuni Danga until the investigation of an alleged assaults and raping of a Beauty Queen, Elizabeth Oyeniyi is completed to allow a level playing ground for investigation.
In a statement made available to Journalists in Lokoja on Friday by Women’s Rights Activists led by Dorothy Njemanze of Dorothy Njemanze Foundation with support from Action Aid Nigeria and Global mayed described the recent news of alleged physical and psychological violence perpetrated by the Kogi State Commissioner for Water Resources, Abdulmumuni Danga, against Elizabeth Oyeniyi as worrisome.
The Non – Governmental Organisation called for the identification and prosecution of the perpetrator and accomplices of the assault on Elizabeth in accordance with the law.
The statement also called for the protection of the survivor, her family and other persons involved in the case, including the guarantee of their property
“We, the undersigned organizations, appreciate the prompt response of Governor Yahaya Bello to the pictures and video in circulation showing assault of Miss Elizabeth Oyeniyi in which she alleged that Abdulmumuni Danga, the Commissioner for Water Resources in Kogi State assaulted her on the 29th of March 2020″.
The Women’s Right Activists who commended the zero tolerance of the Kogi State government to sexual assault and violence called on the government to ensure that these allegations are thoroughly investigated by an impartial body to ensure justice in the matter.
The Women’s Rights Activists led by Dorothy Njemanze of Dorothy Njemanze Foundation with support from Action Aid Nigeria and Global Affairs Canada said: “We are dismayed by the recent news of alleged physical and psychological violence perpetrated by the Kogi State Commissioner for Water Resources, Abdulmumuni Danga, against Elizabeth for criticizing him on Social Media.”
“This is sad because the commissioner allegedly abducted her, physically assaulted her, stripped her naked and took a video recording of her with the threat that the video would be released if she speaks about the incident.” As if that was not enough, her phone was destroyed to avoid documentation of evidence, and she was forced to retract her statement and apologize under duress.”
The statement described the action of the commissioner as the height of abuse of power and outright violation of rights adding that if left unaddressed, such heinous act by power holders against women will increase thereby leaving women and girls more vulnerable than ever.
“We are optimistic that Governor Yahaya Bello is against the abuse of power in office, and an ardent advocate of the fundamental rights of Nigerian citizens and would not allow this matter be swept under the carpet.”
The statement ponted out that the same Mr. Danga was also accused of assaulting another woman and her children, tearing her cloths and spraying on her and her kid a week before this current incident occurred.
As women’s rights organizations, the statement said “we are keen on seeing this case to a conclusive end, for the violation of the right of any woman is a violation of the rights of all women which must attract consequences. We are watching keenly as this opportunity to get justice for the Nigerian woman is too important to miss.”
