YENAGOA—The failure of some natives of Nembe
community, Bayelsa State, to allow justice prevail in the case of a man, 60, who
allegedly raped an 11-year-old girl and was to be given the traditional mode of
punishment, is causing tension in the community.
The suspect, Inabiah Isaiah, popularly known as
CO2, was allegedly caught red-handed having carnal knowledge of the girl (names
withheld) after luring her to his house where he allegedly committed the act.
After allegedly confessing to the crime, the
victim’s guardian, Jerry, reported the matter to leaders of the community for
traditional justice to take its course.
It was gathered that the punishment for such an
offence in the community was public lashing of the culprit at the community
town hall.
However, trouble started when some local militia
gang loyal to the accused, who it was gathered, is also a militia leader,
whisked him away to the police station, apparently to shield him from public
humiliation.
This did not go down well with a section of the
community who insisted that the full weight of tradition must be allowed to
take its full course or there would be no peace.
It was gathered that the people’s anger was hinged
on the fact that the accused had also participated in flogging other offenders
who committed a similar crime in the past and was also alleged to be enjoying
the backing of some community leaders and influential politicians from the
area.
Meanwhile, Vanguard gathered that a group of
persons and gender activists who condemned the act, has vowed to pursue the
matter in the court of law to ensure that justice prevailed, aside from the
traditional punitive measures.
SOURCE: VANGUARD
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