Prof Felix Anyaegbunam, a lecturer with the Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ikwo, Ebonyi State has been arrested by the police for allegedly defiling a 12-year-old daughter of his gateman.
The suspect, who hails from Anambra State was said to have been raping the victim for the past six months.
Sampson Oko Nweke, EB Chairman of Human Rights Defenders, HURIDE who confirmed the incident said that the suspect was arrested on Saturday, November 20.
Spokesperson of the State Police Command, Mrs Loveth Odah, who also confirmed the arrest to PUNCH said that the Commissioner of Police, Mr Aliyu Garba, had ordered a discreet investigation into the matter.
“The suspect of the alleged case of rape is in Police custody now. The CP has ordered a discreet investigation into the matter, we are while awaiting the medical screening/report of the victim.” she stated.
Read the full report by HURIDE chairman below:
“Yesterday, we led the police to arrest a university professor for allegedly raping/defiling a 12yr old girl of primary five.
“An alleged habitual child violator, Felix Anyaegbunam is a professor of Geophysics working with Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike Ikwo (AE-FUTHA) Ebonyi State.
“He is from Anambra state. His wife who lives in Nsukka is said also to be a professor in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and most of his children are Doctoral Degree holders, according to research.
“Few days ago, a whistleblower brought a report against the professor leading to his arrest and detention yesterday. He is being accused of constant sexual abuse on a 12yr old daughter of their gateman.
“The victim is from Ezza North LGA of Ebonyi State. However, she has been rescued and currently receiving proper medical examination/attention.
In an interview, the victims narrated in details her ugly experiences living with the Prof. She said, ” I was living in the village with my mother. My daddy brought me to live with Prof in Abakaliki. Since June this year, the Prof has been disturbing me. He always comes into my room and be doing what I don’t like.
“One day around 2 a.m, I ran to my father at the security house and told him that Prof was pressing my breast. My father told me to go back that he will talk with him in the morning. Sometimes, I will wake up and see myself naked. The other day, somebody was touching me in the midnight. I woke up, put on the light and saw Prof lying on my bed naked.
“He tried to touch me but I slapped him and pushed him out of my room. I was crying. One day, I woke up and my bed was soaked with blood. I didn’t know what happened. I told my father in the morning but he didn’t do anything. He used to tell me that, if I leave Prof’s house, who will pay my school fees? That is how the Prof has continued to disturb me until I told my aunty in the school because I don’t like that nonsense Prof is doing”.
In his words, the victim’s father said; “I am shocked and disappointed. I am the gateman in the compound where the Prof lives. My daughter has been complaining to me about what Prof is doing to her and I have always told Prof that what he is doing is not good.
“This professor did the same same thing to my wife’s kid sister who I brought to live with him as a house help in 2017. But we didn’t know that, prof was was having sex with the girl and later got her pregnant. That time, she was 17years and was in class five in secondary school but when the professor impregnated her, she dropped out of school.
“That time, Human rights people came into the matter and called the police but Prof quickly went to the girl’s village with wine, wrapper and money and deceived them that he wanted to marry her. The mother of the girl came to the police with Prof and helped him destroy the case. But after a while, she gave birth to her baby, the Prof collected the baby and sent the girl away”.
“The baby boy is still living with Prof now but that girl is hawking groundnuts in Abakaliki. It was when there was nobody to take care of the little child in Prof’s house that I went to the village and brought this my little daughter to come and look after the child. That is how Prof started sleeping with her. A small girl like this” the man sobbed.
When invited, the first victim gave a personal testimony of what transpired between her and the Professor and how she now engages in hawking business to be able to take care of herself. She blamed her sister’s husband for bringing his daughter into the house of the same man who put her into suffering.
When interrogated, the professor of Geophysics who was visibly shaky and apprehensive, initially denied all allegations against him but later admitted, albeit reluctantly and incoherently. He, at the same time pleaded for peace and blamed everything on Satan.
Meanwhile, in this current case, we can assure you that the professor will not get away with it as usual. The fang of justice is already waiting and will surely be served accordingly so as to serve as a warning to all his likes. Kudos to Ebonyi State GBV Taskforce for the dogged and fruitful collaborative efforts.
Above all, we count on the police and we appreciate them for their satisfactory professional cooperation so far.
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