The Trade Union Congress, TUC, has called on the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu not to sweep the rape case allegations against the Kogi State Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Abdumumini Danga under the carpet.
The Kogi State Chairman, TUC, Comrade Ranti Ojo made the call on Thursday during a peaceful protest in Lokoja tagged ‘say no to rape and all forms of gender-based violence’.
Five months after former Miss Kogi made the allegations which drew public condemnation from far and near, Comrade Ojo lamented that the Nigerian Police under the leadership of Mohammed Adamu had failed to tell the nation the outcome of their investigation.
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He described rape as a grievous offence which should be condemned in it entity no matter how highly placed the culprit could be in the society.
The union leader said if the commissioner is found guilty of the alleged offence, he must be punished in accordance with the law.
“We are here to lend our voices against rape in Kogi State and Nigeria in general. Collectively, we must stop rape as it does not speak well of humanity and it was a sin against God.
“I’m calling on the government and institutions that are saddled with the responsibility to implement stiffer punishment against Culprits that are involved in rape no matter how highly placed.
“In Kogi State, it was alleged that the commissioner for water resources Hon. Abdumumini Danga raped a lady. Up till this moment, we have been kept in the dark. Let me make this passionate appeal to the inspector general of Police Muhammed Adamu. This case must not be swept under the bridge. The IGP must investigate this case and come out to tell Nigerians what is the outcome. If the commissioner is found wanting, he must face the full wrath of the law” Comrade Ojo expressed.
Lending his voice, the Executive Director, Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution, Idris Miliki said “Rape and assault perpetrated by anybody, whether man or woman is a criminal offence under the Nigeria Law and should not be accepted.
“It is condemnable irrespective of whoever is involved and wherever it takes place or is carried out under any circumstance. Research has shown clearly that women are the victims of rape while men are the perpetrators. We need to have a collaborative agenda against rape.
“There is one fundamental issue I want TUC, NAWOJ, and FIDA to look into. What happened to the case of alleged rape by a government official in Kogi State? Where are we now on the matter? Are we going to allow the matter to die a natural death like many others? We won’t allow this.
“It is more worrisome when a government official, in the calibre of a serving commissioner, could be alleged to be involved in such criminal activities”.
AFRICA TODAY NEWS, NEW YORK