A 20-year-old housewife, Lubabatu Yusuf Samaila, who lives in Bauchi, has voiced her shock over the six-day detention of her husband after she lodged a rape complaint against Deputy Immigration Superintendent, Sani Muazuw, who is her husband’s benefactor.
The victim is urgently appealing to Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun to intervene in her rape complaint against Deputy Immigration Superintendent Sani Muazu.
Prime 9ja Online had earlier reported how the 20- year-old housewife, Yusuf had alleged that one Deputy Superintendent of the Nigerian Immigration Service, had raped her in front of her two children.
Lubabatu narrated her ordeal to journalists in Bauchi on Monday, saying that the incident happened when Mu’azu came to their residence on December 9, 2023.
The victim said that her husband reported the incident, leading to Mu’azu’s arrest but he was later released on bail.
However, in a new twist, the police arrested and detained her husband, Yusuf Samaila, on defamation accusations made by the suspect for six days.
The victim expressed her dissatisfaction with the police's inaction on her rape complaint, and sought the help of the human rights organisation, the African Child Development and Human Rights Protection in Bauchi.
“I petitioned the Bauchi State Commissioner of Police three weeks ago, but there has been no resolution, causing more distress for me and my family, who are struggling with the aftermath of the rape incident and my husband’s arrest,” she said.
In the same vein, Muhammed Alkassim, the founder of African Child Development and Human Rights Protection while speaking to journalists in a press conference on Thursday, slammed the Bauchi CP for ignoring the investigation of the alleged rape, stating that Lubabatu is in dire need of help and justice.
Alkassim blamed the police for straying from their primary duty, referring to sections 1 and 2 of the newly established police act.
Alkassim said that the organisation’s petition, submitted on December 22, 2023, has been left unattended by the CP for almost three weeks.
Alkassim said that on the day of submitting the petition, the suspect was quickly arrested but freed unconditionally within 24 hours, despite facing serious charges.
He demanded the immediate re-arrest of the suspect on behalf of the victim, affirming the organisation’s dedication to seeking justice.
But when Prime 9ja Online reached out to the Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, he denied the civil society organisation’s claims.
He said that the CP had instructed the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Criminal Investigation Department, to investigate the case.
Wakil verified that the investigation is ongoing and promised the public that the outcome would be revealed.
About the arrest of the victim’s husband, Wakil explained that he was charged with criminal defamation, aiding and abetting offences, including kidnapping.
He said the charges arose from a petition filed against Yusuf Samaila by Nazir Umar and Co. chambers on behalf of their client, Sani Saleh Mauzu which led to the arrest of Lubabatu’s husband based on the allegations made by the complainant.