Mr Kebe Ikpi the Cross River coordinator of Child’s Right Network has given insights into what transpired behind the scenes before and immediately after Mr Austin Etim a male nurse was arrested for reportedly raping a 14 years old girl at General Hospital Calabar.
Ikpi disclosed that when the news of the suspected rape incident which took place on Saturday 12th November, got to him last week, he engaged the hospital management who were initially reluctant despite giving their earlier commitment to justice, he also said he engaged the Office of the First Lady of the state, the state Ministry of Health including the Nigerian Police.
According to Ikpi, ‘I met with the hospital administrator Mr Kumar on Monday (14th November). He gave me his word that he will ensure that justice is done. He told me that the hospital cannot condone such an act from a professional.
‘I then reached out to the First Lady when it became obvious that some officers of the hospital were preventing the Police from arresting the suspect.
‘When I reached out to the office of the wife of the Governor. I was told they have spoken to the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health.
‘I invited the Police. I called the DPO and told him the suspect is around. CSP Judith sent police officers to join us at the hospital. I was with them till the suspect was taken.
‘Officials of the Ministry of health arrived after the suspect had been taken away.’
While the said nurse has been arrested, the suspected survivor had been hospitalised.
Speaking exclusively with NEGROIDHAVEN, Ikpi expressed optimism that justice would take its cause. His was reacting to a query posed by the news outfit which informed him that according to an unofficial account, a medical inquiry made by the hospital suggest that there were bruises around the survivor’s private though penetration was not established. Ikpi explained that according to recent legislations in the state, the act of rape has been redefined and as such there is no way Mr Etim will elude justice.
Editorial
This story amongst others are reviewed on Sparkling 92.3FM. Again, opinions expressed on NegroidHaven are exclusively the author’s not NH’s.
