How I was raped inside palace, by 15-yr-old Princess

From: Paul Osuyi, Asaba

A 15-year-old Princess (names withhold) of Idumuje-Ugboko Kingdom in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State has narrated how she was raped by her cousin right inside the palace.

The victim, a Senior Secondary School student, was allegedly raped and later evicted from the palace by a senior member of the royal family who mediated in the rape saga alongside other princes and fined the culprit four goats and some cash to cleanse the palace.

Narrating her ordeal, in her hideout, to members of the Association of Female Lawyers popularly known as FIDA, the victim said she had finished her bath and was dressing up when a masked male whose voice she identified, entered the room as she was dressing and forcefully violated her.

She said that the rapist threatened to kill her if she told anybody, adding that two days later the pains became unbearable and her elder sister, who observed her unusual behavior arranged for her medical checkup.

According to her, the doctor in the village, who examined her, observed that she could not pass urine and referred her to Federal Medical Center (FMC), Asaba, for treatment, stressing that because the doctors were on strike at the time, she was taken to St Joseph’s Hospital, Asaba, where the doctors confirmed she was raped, and treated her for two weeks.

The victim’s mother Mrs. Ifeoma Nwoko, also told FIDA that she was dumbfounded when she heard the news, adding that she reported to the crown prince who said he would resolve the matter, but that she was not happy the manner the issue was resolved.

Meanwhile, FIDA has vowed to go to any length to ensure that justice prevailed in the rape saga which it strongly condemned.

Representatives of FIDA led by its Public Relations Officer (PRO) in Delta State, Mrs. Stellamaris Mejulu, who represented the state chairperson, Mrs. Loretta Omezi, had traced the victim to her hideout where she narrated her traumatic experience.

Mrs. Mejulu said FIDA was disturbed by the spate of rape and had decided to pursue the case and give justice to the victim and her family, adding that the organisation got to know of the incident through a petition.

While saying that the victim is now uncertain of what her life will be after now, she said the rape victim want justice and FIDA was disposed to support her to pursue her right and justice.