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From Abel Leonard, Lafia
The Nasarawa State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has vowed to ensure stiffer punishment for Dr. Fred Ekpe-Ayokhai, a lecturer with the Federal University of Lafia and three others, for assaulting a young girl of 19 years in Lafia.
The Nasarawa police command had, on October 26, 2022, arraigned the suspects, Dr Ekpa-Ayokhai, 53 years; Emmanuela Ayokhai, 18 years; Bob Praise-Ayokhai, 23 years, and Saint-Dan Ayokhai, 21 years, at the High Court 1, Lafia, before Justice Aisha Aliyu, the Chief Judge (CJ) of the state, for allegedly assaulting a young girl over fight with his daughter.
The suspects were arraigned on six count charges of criminal conspiracy, house breaking and criminal force, assault to woman with intent to outrage modesty, kidnapping and inflicting physical injury.
Daily Sun also reported that the Chief Judge had assigned the case to High Court Obi, and the suspects were remanded at Lafia Correctional Centre, Doma road.
Condemning the act in a statement signed by Hajiya Aisha Rufai-Ibrahim, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development and made available to journalists, yesterday, in Lafia, the state capital. The Women Affairs Commissioner also lauded the police for the kind of attention given to the case and for arranging the suspects in court within the shortest time to ensure justice for the victim.
Hajiya Rufai-Ibrahim further said the ongoing prosecution of the suspects would serve as deterrent to others and called on those still in the habits of assaulting women and children to desist, as it is no longer tolerated in the state.
She, therefore, assured women and youths in the state that the unfortunate action exhibited by the suspects would not be swept under the carpet and their rights would, at times, be promoted and protected.
