…orders re-arrest of suspect
Ekiti State Government through the Attorney Genera, Dayo Apata SAN has written the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC Ekiti State over the release of a rape suspect on administrative bail rather than prosecution.
Roundoffnews.com had earlier reported that the command was allegedly trying to cover up the case involving a 59 years old Oyedele Emmanuel who raped a 14 year old girl , having granted the suspect bail as against the law of the land.
However, the command in its response denied the allegation that it was planning to cover up the case, rather it hinged it’s action on delay in the medical report of the survivor.
In the letter addressed to the Commandant of the corps with the title “ARREST AND RELEASE ON ADMINISTRATIVE BAIL OF A RAPE SUSPECT” the Attorney General frowned that the corps on its own volition granted a rape suspect administrative bail on flimsy excuses of non-availability of medical report and purported sickness of the suspect which he said was unacceptable.
The letter reads:”You are well aware the position of law and the zero tolerance of the present administration towards gender based violence especially against women and children. It behoves on you upon the arrest of the suspect to have timeously forwarded the case file to the police for discrete investigation.
“It is to be noted that, it was when this matter went viral on social media that you hurriedly packaged the case file and send same to the Ministry of Justice on the 1 February, 2024 at around 3pm (a clear 15 days after the arrest of the suspect).
“By all standards, a case of rape is a serious crime which leaves an everlasting psychological trauma in the memory of the Survivor and therefore should not be attended to with kid gloves.
“While I appreciate your efforts in administration of Criminal Justice System in Ekiti State, I wish to inform you that pending the resolution of your operational challenges, your office should as a matter of urgency endeavor to transfer any arrested suspect with the case file to the Police forthwith.
“Against the above backdrop, the suspect earlier granted administrative bail, should be re-arrested and handed over to the Police without further delay.