Rivers Bishop accused of defiling girl escapes from custody

By Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt

The family of a 16-year-old girl alleged to have been sexually assaulted Bishop Felix Okpara Duruebube of Mercy House International Church, Eliozu, Obio-Akpor LGA in Rivers has raised alarm that the suspect has connived with Police to ensure that the victim does not get Justice.

The family members alleged that Bishop Duruebube earlier detained by the Rivers State Police Command at the Rumuodomaya Police Division has been released without facing trial.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Priscilla, a Sister of the defiled minor raised alarm that the Police have compromised by allowing the suspect to sneak out of the Police custody.

She further alleged Duruebube was allowed to sneak out from Police custody and sleep in his house only to come back to the Station in early next morning on daily basis.

On its part, the International Federation of Women Lawyers FIDA, Rivers State branch, corroborated the allegation of comprise by the Victim’s family against Police.

FIDA said from a reliable information available to the organization, that the Rivers State Police Command had pedophile Bishop.

Speaking to Journalists in Port Harcourt, FIDA Publicity Secretary, Sophia Afolayan, disclosed that the organisation received a complaints from the victim on 17 June, 2022, on how she was sexually abused constantly by the suspect.

She said the suspect who was supposed to be in Police custody was illegally released on Tuesday and he is yet to return to the station.

Afolayan urged officers of Rumuodumaya Police Division where the suspect was detained to produce him immediately to face trial.