You will recall on Tuesday, 7th January 2025, in Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area of Edo State, a case of torture, abuse and domestic violence against master jude Joseph Atenegbe 15 years old (House help) by one Mrs. Oluwarotimi aged 31 years old.
She planted three foreign substances (contraceptive) on the victim’s body after using a heated metal object in fire to inflict burns, causing serious injuries on his body and genitals.
The suspect was promptly arrested by Nigerian Police where she confessed to the crime and blamed her action on the allegation that the boy molested her two sons, one is less than a year and the second, about two years old which she has not been able to substantiate till this moment.
At the Police headquarters in Benin-City, the investigating department, Human Right in SCIID without notifying the parents of the victim or EDOCSO that escalated the incident, they hurriedly charged the matter to Court with unknown charges on Friday, 17th January 2025.
The case is currently before His Lordship Honourable Justice R.A Ogbevoen, of State High Court 4, Criminal Division, holding in Benin, where the suspect has been granted bail, as the Court awaits legal advice from the office of Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) on or before 31st January 2025.
The victim, young master Jude Atenegbe has however been in the custody of Edo State Ministry of Social Development And Gender Issues since Tuesday, 14th January 2025.
Few days ago, the victim’s father, Mr.Joseph Atanegbe who is based in Port-harcourt reached out to us, according to him, he last saw his son when he was about two years old, that is about thirteen years ago when he and the boy’s mother fell out of love and separated.
He claimed that he never had the opportunity to set his eyes on his son again, untill on Wednesday, 22nd January 2025, the popular saying that “blood is thicker than water” played out, as emotions took over the atmosphere, uncontrollable tears rolled through the eyes of the victim’s parents, relatives who accompanied Joseph Atanegbe (victim’s father).
As the victim walked in without recognising his biological father but meeting him, aunty and uncles for the first time in his life as he was brought forth by officials of the ministry who had made sure that his medical and total welfare was taken care of for the short period.
Based on the information gotten from the defence-led counsel for the suspect, Barr. E.O. Afolabi (SAN) that His Lordship has advised that the suspect should show course for the victim’s proper and thorough medical care and the urgent need for him to return to class after being out of school for about eight (8) months now.
EDOCSO, thereafter applied and signed an undertaking for the release of the young Jude from the ministry to his mother, while acknowledging the super role played by Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), in this whole issue from the onset and the role it is yet to play in restoring the victim back to school as soon as possible.
Special thanks and appreciation to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Development And Gender Issues, Mrs.Irenonsen Ihensekhien and her very diligent staffers for the personal concern on this matter so far and going forward.
After all the documentation process was perfected based on the aforementioned Court ruling, the PS, insisted that the ministry must be updated every two weeks on the level of progress made on the victim’s health status and wellbeing and reiterates the preparedness of Edo State Government to follow-up on this case to its conclusion.
Present in this meeting are; Leftist Omobude Agho, Leftist Aimuae-Osa Igbinomwanhia, Leftist Akaniyenen Emmanuel, victim’s parents, family members and officials of the ministry.
THE MASSES HOUSE
6B, Obakhavbaye Street, Adjacent Spirit & Life Bible Church,
off Oba Market Road/Isekhere Street,
Benin City,
Edo State.
Signed
Leftist Aimuae-Osa Igbinomwanhia.
Public Relations Officer.
Edo civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO).
Website: www.edocso.org
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @alutaedocso
Facebook Page: Edo Civil Society Organisations
08133733554.
07047637552.
08071448219.
