Patrick Idowu
The Women Affairs Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has pledged to seek justice for a 14-year-old girl allegedly raped by a cleric in Gwagwalada.
The accused, Amos Isah, founder and lead pastor of the Prophetic Victory Voice of Fire Ministry, is currently in police custody.
Dr. Adebayo Benjamins-Laniyi, Mandate Secretary of the secretariat, emphasized the administration’s determination to see the case through to a conclusive end during a statement made in Abuja on Thursday.
Reaffirming a zero-tolerance stance on rape in the FCT, Benjamins-Laniyi reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of all children in the territory.
“This commitment aligns with Section 1 of the Child Rights Act, 2003,” she stated. “The FCT will not provide a safe haven for any pedophile, regardless of their status. We are committed to ensuring justice whenever the rights of our children are violated.”
The secretariat is actively coordinating with relevant stakeholders to advocate for the rights of the rape survivor.
“I am in touch with the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria and the President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, FCT Chapter, regarding this matter.
“Additionally, I have reached out to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution and Deputy Commissioner of Police Rita Emesim, who oversees gender issues, in pursuit of justice for the victim,” she added.
Benjamins-Laniyi also instructed the Director of the Child Department within the Women’s Affairs Secretariat to visit the victim’s family.
“The director has met with the family, offered support, and assured them of the FCTA’s commitment to securing justice for their daughter,” she noted.
She assured residents that the FCT Administration is handling the case with the utmost seriousness.
Furthermore, she warned that legal action would be taken against anyone sharing the survivor’s image on social media.
In particular, she called out social media influencer Isaiah Gbangbala for posting the victim’s picture on Facebook, labeling it as “cyberbullying.”
According to Benjamins-Laniyi, the girl and her family are experiencing significant trauma, exacerbated by negative social media campaigns. “The survivor faces not only emotional distress but also serious health issues following the incident. She is experiencing severe pain and bleeding, necessitating her withdrawal from school for medical care.”
Deputy Commissioner Emesim assured residents that the suspect is expected to be charged in court by Thursday.
She dismissed rumors suggesting the police were holding the suspect without charges or considering his release, clarifying, “This is a rape case, a federal offense. We cannot bring a rape case before a Magistrate Court; it must be in a Federal High Court. Our goal is not just to charge but to secure a conviction, which requires thorough due diligence.”
She emphasized that the case is being handled fairly, reiterating that if convicted, the accused will face the full extent of the law.
It is worth noting that Prophet Isah was detained by police following a formal complaint from the victim and her parents. They allege that he lured her into his office and raped her on May 26.
The victim, a Senior Secondary School II student and member of the church’s Media Unit, reported that the assault resulted in physical harm and that the suspect offered her N3,000 while threatening to kill her if she disclosed the incident.
