Rivers: Wigoh Enuolara remanded for collecting N.8m for rape of daughter

Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt

Chief Magistrate F.N Amanze has ordered the remand of a Port Harcourt father, Wigoh Enuolara for extorting N800,000 from one Collins Azunna, a 39 -year- old man who allegedly defiled his 12 years old daughter.

The Magistrate ordered the remand of Enuolara after Azunna told the court that Amanze has received over over N800,000 from his as compensation for rape of his daughter.

The defence lawyer, Edwin Woka, informed the court Amanze had collected N800,000 from the family of his client.

He added that his client was was brought to court because he refused to be extorted further by the father of the 12-year-old old girl.

However, lawyer to the father of the girl told the court that it was the Investigating Police Officer at Eleme Police Division who pressured his client to agree for settlement.

He said the Investigating Police Officer identified as Rita pressured Wigoh Enuolara to collect the N800,000 when he told her that his daughter had developed serious health challenges as a result of the rape and he needed the money to take care of her.

Chief Magistrate Amanze after going through the case files submitted to the court by the police noted that one of the documents indicated that Wigoh Enuolara collected money and consequently wrote for withdrawal of the case against the abuser of his daughter.

The Chief Magistrate consequently ordered the accused, Azunna and the father of the victim to be remanded at Port Harcourt Correctional Centre while the case was adjourned to January 13th, 2022.

The accused and the father of the girl are expected to be arraigned on the adjourned date.

Meanwhile Prince Wiro of Centre For Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign who has been following up the matter welcomed the decision of the court

Mr Wiro frowned at the practice by parents/guardians of defilement survivors collecting money from perpetrators of such abuses in guise of settlement.

He said the decision of the Court will send warning signals to parents/guardians who may want to do the same.

Also, Achor Korienta of Rivers chapter of International Federation of Female Lawyers, FIDA, said the decision of the court will serve as deterrent to others .