The father of an 11-year-old girl in Kano (name withheld), who died from complications she sustained during an alleged rape incident, has cried out for justice. Daily Trust Saturday reports that there is an upsurge in cases of rape and defilement of minors in Kano State.
Fatima Dauda was allegedly raped in Tudun Fulani, Gobirawa Quarters of Dala Local Government Area by her teacher.
Dauda Musa, Fatima’s father, called on relevant authorities to help him get justice for his daughter.
Daily Trust Saturday reports that Fatima’s case is not isolated as many remain unreported. Many of such cases are not even heard, probably because of the cosmopolitan nature of Kano and its growing population and because parents would want to save the reputation of their daughters and protect their families from embarrassment.
It was also learnt that Dala Local Government Area, where Fatima’s case took place, is believed to have the highest number vulnerable girls.
However, in recent years, voices of survivors and activists through campaigns, such as #MeToo, #TimesUp, #NotOneMore, #BalanceTonPorc and others, have increased to tackle the upsurge in incidents of child rape and make young girls safe in the city.
Fatima’s father said the unfortunate incident occurred when the alleged rapist, who happens to be her school teacher, lured his daughter to the school in the early hours of the day under the pretence that she would perform a special duty he assigned to her.
He alleged that the girl refused to cooperate with him, but the suspect beat her up and threatened to slit her throat if she told anyone. The girl said the teacher raped her twice.
Daily Trust Saturday also learnt that many victims of rape do not speak out for justice for fear that they may not be believed, may even be blamed for the incident, as well as possible victimisation. And these add to their pains and frustration.
Fatima’s mother has died and she had been living with her old grandmother. As a result of fear, she only reported the incident to her guardians, who took her to Waziri Gidado General Hospital.
“It was upon investigation at the hospital that Fatima was found to have been raped and we were transferred to Muhammadu Abdullahi Wase Teaching Hospital (formerly Nasarawa Hospital), and later, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital for further investigation.
“When she was first taken to the hospital, the nurses found out that the girl was brutally raped. At that stage, the suspect’s relatives attempted to bribe their way to change the outcome of the investigation but the nurses refused to cooperate,” he alleged.
Daily Trust Saturday gathered that preliminary investigation revealed how Fatima’s private part was damaged with bruises, to the extent that she could not control the flow of urine and stool.
At that stage, the matter was reported to the police, and the teacher, who is also working with a security outfit in the state, was eventually arrested.
There is also an allegation of conspiracy among the suspected rapist’s relatives, other Fatima’s school teachers and a lawyer to deal with the father of the victim in the event that he refused to give in to their demand.
It was learnt that before the death of the victim, they attempted to ‘reconcile’ with her father three times and even proposed monetary inducement, but he rejected their offer.
The victim’s father said he spent over N3 million for her medication in the hospital before she died, but none of the suspect’s relatives contributed to assist him.
Findings revealed that many cases of child rape in the society are often closed due to manipulative tendencies of suspects, coupled with the fact that even when there is enough evidence for conviction, many parents are unwilling to press charges. And despite efforts by relevant stakeholders to end the menace, rape persists and most victims are denied justice. While rapists avoid prosecution, hundreds of cases go unreported due to corruption, stigma and blame on victims.
Daily Trust Saturday reports that when the case was mentioned in court on April 29, officials of the Nigeria Correctional Service could not produce the suspect in court.
A source at the court reliably informed Daily Trust Saturday that it was the third time the case was being frustrated, which indicates that there could be conspiracy, according to him.
While the suspect has been arraigned before Court 47, Normans Land, Kano, which ordered his remand in prison and fixed May 20 for hearing, Fatima’s father told Daily Trust Saturday that he is seeking justice for his daughter.
