A Corps member attached to the Asamabiri Community Primary School in Asamabiri community of Sagbama local Government area of the State, Jonathan Ogbe, has abandoned his one year compulsory National service over his alleged involvement in the defilement of a 12 year- old pupil in the state.
Niger Delta Herald Metro gathered that Jonathan Ogbe, 31 years and indigene of Kogi State and has one Victor Iko-Ojo Achema as his next of kin, with NYSC call up number as NYSC/ABU/2020/113131, abandoned service and has since refused to pick up his discharge certificate to avoid being de-kitted and handed to the Bayelsa Police Command for investigation and possible prosecution.
The incident, which occurred last September,2021, is however provoking members of the Civil Society groups, gender based advocacy groups and indigenes of the community over the alleged †foot dragging†by the gender unit of the Bayelsa Police Command to effect the arrest, investigation and prosecution of the accused corps member.
Niger Delta Herald Metro gathered that though the NYSC and the Nigerian Police were accused to “foot dragging†over the case, the NYSC through State Public Relations officer, Mathew Ngobua denied the claim and confirmed that the accused corps member have absconded,†the accused has abandoned service and all his numbers and that of his next of kin are not reachable. He has not even picked up his discharge certificate for service.â€
Ngobua also noted that the disappearance of the accused corps member was noticed when the usual practice of the NYSC disciplinary measure of inviting accused to camp, de-kitt him or her and hand him to the police for investigation, â€we discovered that he has abandoned service.
Niger Delta Herald Metro also learnt that the accused Corps Member, reportedly lured the 12 years old girl, names withheld, who is a pupil in the community primary school to his house and defiled her repeatedly without the knowledge of the parents.
According to the father of the victim, Nelson Gbaranbiri, his wife brought his attention to some strange discharge found in the panties of his 12 years old daughter while doing her laundry, “My wife brought my attention to the stains and discharges she usually find in the panties of my daughter. When I asked about what happened to her private part, she told me that ‘uncle’ will beat her.â€
Gbaranbiri also confirmed that when he reported to the Divisional Police, they did not concern about the incident,†they asked me to arrest the accused and bring him to the station. They even demanded that I pay them before they can drive down to arrest the suspect. I also met with the NYSC, they also showed signs of indifference. I have protested now to the GRIT and hoping actions would be taken to arrest and prosecute this pedophile.â€
In the petition forwarded to the State Police Commissioner and dated 3rd of September, 2021, the counsel to the victim’s family, A.O.Aniso Esq, stated that “When the accused corps member was confronted with the victim’s claim, he admitted being responsible and pleaded for forgiveness. And seeing that the minor was physically distressed and needed medical attention, the parents took her to the community medical centre and their worst fears was confirmed “
“After the medical confirmation, the family again confronted the corps member of his wrong doing and he apologize profusely even offering N50, 000 to cover medical treatment. This is a criminal act and he has brought great shame to my client’s family.â€
Also reacting to the copy of the petition made available to the State Gender Response Initiative Team (GRIT), the Chairperson, Barr. Dise Ogbise confirmed that the GRIT has just received the petition and assured that “GRIT will reach out to the State Police Command for more update as we anticipate a prompt response by the Police to the petition already serve them. As GRIT, Bayelsa State, we will not relax and we will give the child all the necessary legal and psychological support needed.â€
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