Ogun Govt Says Rape Allegation Was Fabricated, Updates Gang Rape Investigation

(Map Ogun. Photo Credit: Premuim Times)

The alleged rape of Miss Nsikak Abigael Emem, also known as Mirabel, and the gang rape of a 15-year-old girl in Ifo Local Government Area are two prominent cases of gender-based violence on which the Ogun State Ministry of Justice has released new information.

Oluwasina Ogungbade (SAN), the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, said in a statement released on Wednesday that investigations by pertinent authorities proved Mirabel's rape allegation was untrue and purposefully made up.

The statement claimed that the investigation's conclusions, including Mirabel's alleged admissions, demonstrated that there was no rape incident as previously reported.

According to the statement, "the rape allegation was false and deliberately fabricated, as established by the investigations by relevant authorities as well as Mirabel's own admissions."

The ministry clarified that since no crime had been committed, there was no suspect to detain or prosecute, and the claim that had raised public concerns did not pose a threat to public safety.

Despite the investigation's findings, the government stated that it chose to pursue rehabilitation rather than prosecute Mirabel.

"The Ministry determined that psycho-social rehabilitation, rather than prosecution, would better serve the interest of justice after a thorough review of the circumstances," the statement continued.

According to the government, Mirabel is presently receiving rehabilitative support at the Ogun State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

Ogungbade claims that the Ministry of Justice has been receiving regular updates on her development, showing that she is reacting favorably to rehabilitation and is ready for tests as part of her efforts to pursue further education.

The ministry reported that substantial progress had been made in locating the culprits in a different case involving the gang rape of a 15-year-old girl in Ibogun.

The adolescent was allegedly sexually abused by four guys, according to the authorities. Segun Samuel, one of the suspects, was apprehended soon after the crime, but the other men managed to flee.

According to the statement, Qudus Abiola Yekini, the alleged ringleader, was recently apprehended as a result of continued cooperation between the Ministry of Justice and the Ogun State Police Command.

According to the statement, "the arrest of the alleged ringleader represents a major breakthrough in the case and demonstrates the commitment of the government to ensuring that all perpetrators are brought to justice."

The government reassured locals that measures were being made to capture and prosecute everyone involved, even though two suspects are still at large.

The Ogun State Police Command and a number of senior officers were praised by the government for their efforts in the most recent arrest.

The ministry claims that the development highlights the Ogun State Government's commitment to providing victims with justice and strengthens its zero-tolerance policy regarding gender-based violence.

Additionally, the government reaffirmed its criticism of all criminal behavior, including fabricating false accusations and using violence against vulnerable people.

“We urge members of the public to refrain from all forms of criminal conduct. Offenders will be held accountable in accordance with the law,” Ogungbade warned.