Woman raped inside a cell sues police for N750m

A housewife, Mrs Esse Isaiah Ozegbe, who was reportedly raped inside a cell at the Abraka Police Station in Delta State, has sued the police, seeking N750m damages.

Mrs Esse was arrested on February 26 over a quarrel she had with a neighbour and was detained in a cell among men. Two of the men allegedly raped her while the policemen on duty did nothing.

Mrs Esse, through her counsel, Efe Ejomafuvwe, instituted the suit at the Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State. Hearing in the case has been fixed for June 13.

The alleged rapists are facing trial at an Abraka Magistrates Court. The cell guard on duty has been dismissed from the police.

Sources at the office of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 5, Benin, said the cell guard was dismissed after an orderly room trial.

The source said a Police Inspector, Mrs Erebi Akporunor, was also demoted to Sergeant over the rape saga.

The Nation

The Zone 5 Police Command, Benin, has demoted a police inspector, while another policeman, a station guard, was dismissed over the molestation of one Mrs. Esse Ozegbe, who was thrown into the same cell with two men at the Abraka police station.

The station guard, whose name was not disclosed, was on duty at the time the crime was committed, while the inspector, Mrs. Erebi Akporunor, was demoted to the rank of Sergeant.

The punishment was the outcome of an orderly room trial of 11 police officers implicated in connection with the molestation saga.

Ozegbe, who was arrested on February 26, 2013, following a quarrel with a neighbour, was said to have been detained along with some men at the Abraka Police station, Delta State, where two of them were said to have Molested her in turns, while the policemen allegedly turned a deaf ear to her cries for help.

The two men, who allegedly Molested Ozegbe, are said to be currently standing trial at a magistrate’s court in Abraka.

Meanwhile, Ozegbe through her counsel, Efe Ejomafuvwe, has instituted a suit at the Federal High Court, Warri, over the matter.

Ozegbe in the suit is claiming N750 million damages against the Nigeria Police. Hearing in the case was fixed for June 13. - Punch