The Ogun State Ministry of Justice has on Wednesday, provided an update on two high-profile gender-based violence (GBV) cases that have attracted widespread public attention across the state.
The high profile cases include the controversial rape allegation made by Miss Nsikak Abigael Emem, popularly known as Mirabel, and the gang rape of a 15-year-old girl in Ifo Local Government Area of the state.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade, (SAN) while announcing the arrest of the alleged ringleader in the gang rape.
On the Mirabel case, the Ministry said investigations conducted by relevant authorities, coupled with admissions made by Mirabel herself, established that the rape allegation was false and deliberately fabricated.
According to the statement, there was consequently no offender to be arrested or prosecuted in connection with the claim, adding that there was no threat to public safety arising from the narrative initially presented.
The Ministry stated that after reviewing the circumstances surrounding the matter, it concluded that the interest of justice would be better served through psycho-social rehabilitation rather than criminal prosecution.
According to the statement, Mirabel has since been placed under the care of the Ogun State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, where she is currently undergoing rehabilitation.
“The Ministry of Justice has been receiving periodic reports on her progress, and the feedback indicates that she has responded positively to rehabilitation. She is currently preparing for examinations as part of efforts to further her academic pursuits,” the statement read.
On the separate case involving the gang rape of a 15-year-old girl in Ibogun, the Ministry disclosed that significant progress had been made in the effort to bring all those involved to justice.
It recalled that four men allegedly took turns sexually assaulting the teenager, adding that one of the suspects, Segun Samuel, was arrested shortly after the incident while others fled.
The Ministry, however, announced that the alleged ringleader of the attack, Qudus Abiola Yekini, has now been arrested following sustained collaboration between the Ogun State Ministry of Justice and the Ogun State Police Command.
While noting that two other suspects are still at large, the Ministry described Yekini’s arrest as a major breakthrough and reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to ensuring that all those involved are apprehended and prosecuted.
The Ministry commended the Ogun State Police Command for its efforts in securing the arrest, particularly the Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni; Deputy Commissioners of Police, DCP Bolanle Murtala and DCP Gbenga Adeoye; Area Commander, Ifo, ACP Seyi Olugboji Williams; DPO Ifo, CSP Olabisi Kamorudeen; DPO Ibogun, CSP Sasa Adeniyi; and the Officer-in-Charge of Gender Affairs, SP Bunmi Asogbon.
According to the statement, the arrest underscores the Ogun State Government’s zero-tolerance stance on gender-based violence and should reassure the public that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects.
The government also reiterated its condemnation of all forms of criminal conduct, including violent assaults on vulnerable persons and the making of false allegations.
It urged residents to refrain from such acts, warning that offenders would be held accountable in accordance with the law.