The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called for a thorough and impartial investigation into a serious rape allegation, urging the Nigeria Police Force and the judiciary to act decisively and without bias. The advocacy group made the call during a press conference in Abuja on Sunday, emphasizing the need to focus on the central issue without allowing other legal disputes to overshadow the gravity of the sexual abuse claim.

Legal Disputes May Distract from Core Allegation

HURIWA’s concerns come amid a recent charge sheet indicating that Njoku Jesse Ifeanyichukwu has been arraigned before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja Judicial Division. According to the charge sheet, the defendant is accused of using forged documents to obtain confidential academic and employment records belonging to the aunt of the alleged rape survivor.

Emmanuel Onwubiko, National Coordinator of HURIWA, said the documents reviewed by the group show that Ifeanyichukwu allegedly produced a letterhead purportedly belonging to “Excellent International School, Oguta, Imo State,” which prosecutors claim was used to obtain private records relating to the victim’s aunt. Prosecutors allege the document was falsely presented as an official communication issued with proper authority, an offence punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code.

Victim’s Public Account of Abuse

According to Onwubiko, the alleged victim had publicly narrated her experience during an appearance on the popular human rights programme Brekete Family, hosted by Ahmed Isah on Human Rights Radio in Abuja. During the broadcast, the victim claimed she experienced repeated sexual abuse, alleging that the suspect took advantage of opportunities in the early hours of the morning.

The victim explained that the incidents allegedly occurred whenever she went to carry a four-year-old child from the suspect’s room around 5 a.m., during which she claimed the suspect would sexually assault her. Onwubiko described the allegations as grave and deserving of careful investigation by law enforcement authorities.

“The allegation of rape, especially involving a vulnerable young person, is a grave criminal matter that demands the highest level of diligence from investigators and the judiciary,” Onwubiko stated. He warned that any attempt to intimidate the victim or individuals connected to her family could amount to secondary victimisation and erode public confidence in the justice system.

Call for Victim-Centred Justice

HURIWA has urged the Nigeria Police Force, prosecutors, and the judiciary to ensure that the central issue—the rape allegation—is investigated professionally, transparently, and without delay. The group highlighted that Nigeria has recorded numerous instances in which survivors of sexual violence face social pressure, intimidation, or legal harassment that discourages them from seeking justice.

“The justice system must protect survivors, not frighten them into silence,” the group said. Onwubiko further called on relevant institutions, including child protection agencies and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, to ensure the safety and psychological wellbeing of the victim while the legal process continues.

The organisation has demanded a swift, impartial, and victim-centred investigation, insisting that anyone found guilty of sexual abuse must face the full weight of the law. “Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done. Nigerian authorities must send a clear message that sexual violence will not be tolerated and that survivors will be protected rather than persecuted,” Onwubiko added.

As the case unfolds, the focus remains on ensuring that the legal process is transparent and that the victim is not further victimised. The timeline for the investigation and trial remains unclear, but HURIWA has made it clear that it will continue to monitor the situation closely and advocate for justice on behalf of the alleged survivor.