Tuesday, November 25, 2025 - A 60-year-old man identified as Obogo Adinya, has been arrested after being accused of r@ping a 5-year-old girl in Gakem Ward, Bekwarra Local Government Area of Cross River State.
A human rights lawyer and Principal Partner at Basic Rights
Counsel Initiative of, James Ibor, confirmed the arrest of the suspect for
alleged r@pe on Monday, November 24, 2025.
Meanwhile, the Acting Chairman of Bekwarra Local Government
Area, Hon. Egbung, Odama Egbung, has ordered for a full scale of enquiry into
the incident.
Agaji Adie Ntamu, the Chief Press Secretary to the chairman,
in a statement, dismissed claims alleging that the clan head of the community
only fined the culprit three goats and some crates of beer as settlement for
def!ling a minor.
According to the statement, the suspect was being accused of
molestation and not r@pe as widely circulated on social media.
“The Acting Chairman in a swift response ordered for an
immediate investigation to ensure Justice is served and to avoid any possible
breakdown of order within the affected community. The alleged victim’s parents
were reached for their account of the incident, the clan head of Atibulum was
also reached for his briefing for proper investigation,” the statement
read.
"Preliminary investigations by men of the Nigerian
Police and the SA, Peace and Security to the Chairman reports that contrary to
the social media report of defilement and r@pe, the case at hand according to
statements from all involved is actually a case of molestation. Reports from
both the clan head and the victim’s parents corroborates this.
"According to the clan head, the report brought before
me by the victim’s parents was that their daughter complained of being touched
inappropriately by the older man whenever she was sent on errands to his
compound. He added that the fines were customary requirements for defiling the
land by molesting a minor which was to come with other punishments and a
possible banishment from the community. The claims on social media that the
fines were for settlement is false and very misleading.
"Similarly, the girl’s parents in a separate report
said the suspect, Mr. Obogo Adinya was being accused of molestation of their
child and not rape as widely circulated.
"They further explained that they became suspicious
when the little girl unusually resisted being sent to the accused house,
prompting them to become curious and concerned.
"When they got their daughter to explain her
experience, she complained of being inappropriately touched by the older man,
“putting his hands around her undies”. When asked if there was any penile
penetration, the response was not affirmative.
"While further investigations are ongoing, the chairman
has ensured the arrest of the suspect who is currently in police custody. He
has also instructed the supervisor for health together with the two female
councilors to visit the victim’s home and take her for medical examination and
a proper therapy session as may be required.
"Hon. Egbung frowns at any form of molestation and
assault on our girls, describing it as despicable evil that will not be
condoned anywhere in Bekwarra under his watch. He reiterates his commitment to
ensuring a safe Bekwarra for all, men and women, children and adults.
"He calls on social media reporters to be more
professional and ethical in their quests to be the first to fly any news
online. Noting that the possible damages caused by some inaccurate reports can
be more destructive than the good we all desire.
"Social media should not be the first call for
everything, especially when facts are not adequately verified. In any case, the
local government is open to any information for prompt action.
“The continuous pollution of the cyberspace with inaccurate
information about our place and people is not patriotism but a grave disservice
to our common patrimony.”
0 Comments