A male suspect simply identified as Goodnews who allegedly defiled a 16- year-old girl in Rupokwu community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State last week has escaped from Police custody.
The case was being investigated by the Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department in Port Harcourt.
It was gathered the suspect escaped when the scene of the crime was visited as part of investigation procedures.
Recall that the suspect was earlier arrested by operatives of Special Area Rumudomaya and transfered to the State CID, Port Harcourt last week .
Father of the alleged defilement victim, Mr Prince told newsmen in Port Harcourt on Wednesday that when they got to the scene of the crime which is their compound, the suspect who was not handcuff by the Investigating Police Office was finding it difficult to open the padlock used in locking his door.
So, according to him, he(father of victim) suggested they should used ammer to break the padlock.
Prince further said he took excuse from the IPO and went to his apartment down stairs to get the hammer.
He disclosed that when he brought the hammer, he saw the IPO coming downstairs since the suspect’s apartment is upstairs but that the IPO informed him(father of the victim) that the suspect has escaped.
Prince stated, “He ran towards the direction and the IPO claimed the suspect took but he did not see the suspect.”
Meanwhile, a lawyer, Gbenga Oladapo, who is also the Executive Director of Lawyers Watch Justice International Initiative has described the development as ridiculous.
Oladapo stated, “It is extremely ridiculous that the Police would come out to say that. This is not just negligence, it is a betrayal of the victim, her family and every Nigeria child who deserves protection under the law.
“The Police should do everything in their power to declare a manhunt to re-arrest this man and make sure his faces the law in record time.
“They would deem to have failed the public, they would deem to have denied the victim justice if the suspect is not re-arrested.
“Thiis is not good for the entire society and particularly the Nigerian child.”
When contacted, spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Blessing Agabe confirmed the escape of the suspect but said the police will ensure he is rearrested.
Agabe, an Assistant Superintendent of Police stated, “Yes, I’m aware that he escaped and one of the policemen is being queried with respect to the escape.
“However, an order has been given for his re-arrest and we shall make it known to the press when he is re-arrested.”
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