MOSOGAR—THE leadership of Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, led by Chief Joe Omene, has accused the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, of bias in the role it played in securing the N9 million bail granted Yanusa Dahiru in his trial over Ese Oruru’s abduction.
Speaking, yesterday, in Mosogar, Delta State, Omene lamented the quality of legal representation Yunusa was given, saying that UPU would send a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, to represent them at the next trial date.
Describing the case as a test case on the relationship between Arewa and the Urhobo, Omene said: “There is more than meets the eyes in this matter.
“Yunusa, as an individual, cannot afford a SAN to represent him hence we believe ACF, which has been at the background in the matter, won’t stand on the part of justice and fairness in this case.
“If ACF is biased in this matter, it will strain the relationship between them and the UPU as they are supposed to be law abiding in protecting the rights of the under-aged girl child.
“Our SAN representative, who is the UPU Secretary General, will represent us at the next date of proceedings and advice us on what is going on.”
Yinusa Dahiru, alias Yellow, the young man who allegedly abducted, converted to Islam and forcefully married and impregnated 14-year-old Ese Oruru was on Tuesday remanded in prison custody by Justice H.A. Nganjiwa of the Federal High Court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
Yinusa Dahiru, Ese’s abductor
Kano-born Dahiru was brought before the court under very tight security and is being prosecuted on a five-count charge of criminal abduction, illicit sex, sexual exploitation and unlawful carnal knowledge.
On the sidelines of the court proceedings, Dahiru, 18, admitted to impregnating the teenage girl, but pleaded “not guilty” to the five-count charge when the charges were read to him.
Dahiru, who wore a yellow caftan and brown cap, appeared quite relaxed in court after he was brought in at about 10 am.
A special police prosecutor, Kenneth Dika, who was reported to have met with the suspect and the victim, Miss Oruru, for their official statements, signed the charge sheet in the suit.
The police accused Dahiru of conspiring with the duo of Dankano Mohammed and Mallam Al Hassan to abduct, coerce, deceive and sexually assault the Delta-born Miss Oruru.
The charges read in part: “That you, Yinusa Dahiru, a male resident in Opolo-Epie area of Yenagoa in Bayelsa State, conspired with the duo of Dankano Mohammed and Mallam Al Hassan between August 2015 and Febuary 2016, to commit an offence of abduction and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 27(a) of the Trafficking in persons (prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015.”
Also, the police prosecution told the court that “Dahiru abducted Ese Oruru by means of coercion, transported and harboured her in Kano State and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 13(2)(b) of the Trafficking in Persons (prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015”.
It added: “That Yinusa Dahiru induced Ese Oruru by the use of deception and coercion to go with you from Yenagoa to Kano State with intent that she be forced or seduced into illicit intercourse and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 15(a) of the Trafficking in Persons (prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015.”
It also accused him of having unlawful carnal knowledge of the victim without her consent, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 357 of the Criminal Code Act and punishable under Section 358 of the same Act.
Just before the charges were read, Justice Nganjiwa turned down an interpreter who attempted to translate the charges to Dahiru’s indigenous Hausa language. The charges were eventually read to the accused in Pidgin English, following which he pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
After listening to the police prosecutor and the lawyer to the accused, Mr. Kayode Olaosebikan, the judge adjourned the matter to March 14, but not before remanding the accused in prison custody till the adjourned date.
Olaosebikan told THISDAY that a bail application before the court would be heard on the said date and described the case as one of “two lovebirds who decided to elope because of the love they had for each other”.
“We have applied for bail and the court will rule on it on the adjourned date. The prosecutor has filed their case. It is easy for the prosecutor to pile up issues, now they have to prove it beyond reasonable doubt.
“We see the case as that of two love birds. It is a case of Yinusa, an 18-year-old boy in love with a 14-year-old girl and they agreed to elope,” he said, in apparent disregard for the mood of the nation on the case.
He added: “It is easy for the prosecution to bring up charges but Yinusa as a man has pleaded not guilty and it is left for the prosecution to prove their case beyond every reasonable doubt.
“It is a case of two love birds, in our social parlance we call it elopement, but government and the state prefer to call it abduction and it is left for the court to decide whether it was abduction or elopement of two minors because Yinusa is 18 years old and the girl in question is 14 years old.”
It was gathered that the police will, at the next hearing, line up about six witnesses to prove its case against the accused.
The General Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. Musa Asake, in this interview with TOBI AWORINDE, criticises the forceful marriage and sexual violation of 14-year-old Ese Oruru
What is your reaction to the abduction and forceful marriage of Ese Oruru to a Muslim from Kano?
It is an unfortunate situation. This has been going on in the North. In fact, our Christian girls are abducted but nothing is done about it. It is so sad that while we are praying to live in peace, another side is not showing a sign of peace. I don’t know where it is in the religion that teaches that they can take someone’s daughter, convert her from Christianity to Islam and marry her (off). If that is religion, then it is very unfortunate. I also want to make it very clear: If it were Christians doing this to Muslim girls, Nigerians would have been burnt to ashes. So, to me, it is a total disrespect and a complete disobedience of the law of the land and the law of God. To me, it is stealing; I don’t know why you are calling it abduction. It is stealing and the government should wake up and do something. There is nobody who has the right to take somebody’s daughter and even have the right to give her (away) in marriage. We had a similar experience in Minna (Niger State) and the matter was reported even up to the Presidency. The governor refused to cooperate. They took that girl, changed her name and married her (off). It is not good. That is what some of these Muslims are doing to us. The media should investigate and bring these ones out and the government should come out with a law. This one (Ese) is so fortunate. The one I am talking about is a pastor’s daughter. They married her off and up till today, the government is doing nothing. We met with the deputy governor; his words were arrogant. We are running out of patience. If we want to live in peace in Nigeria, then some of these Muslims have to behave. I don’t see why those practicing a religion will be stealing people’s children and they are doing it with impunity. It is unfortunate.
Why do you think the state governments are not responsive?
I will give you an example of the one in Minna, which I was involved in. We reported the case. Even the Presidency told the governor that the girl should be released. The day we went, the governor left town. How can you take a Christian girl to your Islamic court and say she can marry whoever she wants? Are they the parents? The government is not — I repeat, is not — against the whole thing. That is why when it happens, just because Christians are saying ‘we want peace,’ they will provoke us. I think we have had enough of that kind of one-sided peace. Enough of it! Christians have been taken for granted and it will soon come to an end. We cannot continue to have this kind of nonsense. Someone takes somebody’s daughter and marries her. Can somebody else take their daughter to go and marry? If they have many children and they are not accountable or responsible for them, in the Christian community, we are not like that. If you have your child, you need to know where your child is, what he is doing and who he is doing it with. Yes, we do have some stubborn ones, but you cannot steal my daughter and go and marry her. Who are you?
How often do you get such cases?
I would give you that assignment; just try finding out in the North. You will be shocked.
The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, said he wrote a letter to the police asking Ese to be returned to her parents and that he should not be blamed for the failure to carry out the directive. Do you accept that explanation?
I was out (of the country). I do not know the time this thing happened; I just came back to meet it. I don’t know the role he played. But I read in the papers that he asked for the release of the girl. My question is: how long was the girl in that custody? I was told the girl was taken from Bayelsa. How long was she there? Where was she? And if she was in his palace, when they took her to his palace from day one, what did he say? Did he ask: ‘Where is she coming from?’ Did he ask the questions? Now, I am told she is pregnant.
Do you think the ordeal of Ese’s parents is over now that their daughter has been found?
This is Nigeria, where we are being controlled by a section. The parents are in pain. I just thank God with them that their daughter is back. They have defiled her and God must punish those people that defiled her. I want to assure you that God will punish them for doing what they did to our innocent girl. I pray that God will give the parents a special kind of grace to take this. They have ruined that girl in the community; they have ruined her future and given her bad pains in her body, but God is going to erase it by His grace.
What is your reaction to the delay of the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, to take immediate action on the case?
In Nigeria, if you don’t have anybody (in power), that is how you suffer. The matter is now who you know, who you have, and who can do it for you. Why will the police wait for the Emir to do something? Is the Emir the police? When people are kidnapped and they try to get the person, do they consult the traditional ruler in that area? I have a very high respect for the IG, but if actually he said something like that — that he was waiting on the Emir — I am very disappointed.
A number of Muslim leaders have condemned the abduction, forceful conversion to Islam and marriage. Do you think these leaders are doing enough to reduce the frequency of such cases?
The word ‘condemnation’ has come to be a word we are used to: ‘Condemnation,’ ‘we are on top of the situation,’ ‘everything will be alright.’ None of them has happened. As I am talking to you now, I can go ahead to praise anybody that I want to praise and when I finish, I go about my normal business. Right from Boko Haram, ‘we condemn this, we condemn that,’ but nothing has happened. Muslim leaders coming out to condemn, it is okay; you wouldn’t expect them to come out and start saying ‘we support what has happened.’ That you will never hear. I agree, it should be condemned, but they should show me the action of the condemnation.
How do these issues of abduction, forceful conversion to Islam and child marriage affect religious coexistence in the country?
It continues to pull the rope of disharmony. We are trying to do things together and then one is making himself superior, making you to be under him. Someone can wake up and do whatever he wants to do. He wakes up, takes somebody’s daughter and makes her a Muslim. Where in our constitution does it say you can force someone to be a Muslim? Someone teaches a child to deny her parents and before you know it, they are putting a hijab (on her). That is an insult to Christianity — a very serious insult. Those Islamic leaders must be very honest with themselves; if they really want us to live in peace in this country and that is our desire, I think they should put a stop to it. They should stop playing with our intelligence, telling us that they condemn this when they have already put a hijab on her. Why put a hijab on her? Is she a Muslim?
Today, I can decide to become a Muslim as an adult; nobody can stop me. But I cannot even force my son to be a Christian; he has to choose himself. Why are they forcing our daughters; they rape them, they marry them. On what right are they doing that? I am speaking with a loud voice that the insult is getting too much. We belong to Nigeria; we don’t have any other country but this one. We will stay and die in this country. But the insult should stop so that happiness, harmony and peace will continue. In Islam, the watchword there is peace. I have been looking for where peace has been promoted in many cases, but I have not seen it. Maybe the peace that I know is not the peace that I hear because these happenings can never bring peace. Ese’s family, for instance, will hate Islam for the remaining part of their lives. Is that a good thing?
Do you know if Sharia Law permits this?
If it does, it applies to Muslims and not everybody. Some of us are not Muslims. The girl is not a Muslim. You cannot apply Sharia law on a non-Muslim. That is what is usually done. Even the case in Minna that I told you about, they were citing Sharia law. Why are they forcing us to practice Sharia that we don’t believe in? Check the history of this country; has there been any case where a Christian forced a Muslim to do things the Christian way? I don’t understand the leadership of our country. When things like this happen, they keep quiet. They allow these people to get by freely. We have nothing to do with Sharia. When Sharia was about to be introduced in Nigeria, the country was almost set aflame. Then they brought it back. (Senator) Sani Yerima brought it back. In Zamfara State, many were killed. The argument was that it is only applicable to Muslims. If it is only applicable to Muslims, why make noise? Why bring it to the public? Just introduce it to Muslims and keep quiet. But it is not! Their entire goal is to make sure that they erase Christianity and put their Sharia in. But you know what? God in heaven will never allow that to happen.
What do you say to those that claim that Ese willingly followed her abductor, Yinusa, aka Yellow?
This is Nigeria. You are free to live wherever you want to live. Did she say she wanted to be abducted? Did she say she was going to allow herself be married by force? The issue of her insisting that she wants to go does not hold at all. For some of us that are village people, when we have the opportunity to go to the city, we get very excited, not knowing what the city holds for us. Nobody should bring that argument here. They have done something wrong and I need an apology. They should say they are sorry for whatever that boy did. Whoever he is, I don’t care. He is wrong. He is a thief. He is an armed robber. He needs to apologise. The police that said they were waiting on the emir should apologise. The Islamic clerics should apologise for this thing happening day in, day out in their religion under their watch and not being able to stop it.
What about the Emir of Kano?
I don’t know when he got involved and how they put the matter to him. If his version of what transpired is true, then he doesn’t need to apologise to anybody because he did speak up to say the girl should be released. But if it were in the beginning that he kept the girl until he succumbed to pressure, then that would be a different thing entirely. But that boy (Yunusa) must be thrown into prison, never to see the light of day. We should not allow this thing to continue like this.
Do you think the Sultan of Sokoto, who is the leader of Muslims in Nigeria, should also speak on the matter?
The Sultan of Sokoto is entirely in charge. I am not expecting him to be in every nook and cranny of this country. You can be a leader and they will not inform you of some of these things. I don’t know whether the Sultan of Sokoto was informed. If he was informed, what did he do? But I know him a bit; he is a man of action. But when it comes to religious matters, there are things one has to be very careful about. I don’t know his role in this matter, so I wouldn’t want him to start apologising for something he didn’t do or know about. But if the matter was taken to him and he didn’t do anything, then I would say, ‘Your Eminence, you owe us an apology.’
Some have asked the IG to step down because he was negligent. Are you in support of this call?
I am not talking about resignation here because this is not the first time it is happening. I have told you it is a daily thing in the North. All the police IGs that have gone before him have been through this thing. So, I am not talking about resignation here. I am just saying he should wake up. Next time, he should not say he is waiting for the emir because in cases of kidnapping, I have never heard that anybody waits for a traditional ruler in that area. Resignation will not change this thing. Anyone who doesn’t want the IG there should take a different step; they should not use this case.
What should be done to stop traditional rulers from being a stumbling block to the law enforcement agencies in such cases?
That is why we have the government. We elected them to protect us, but if they cannot protect us, then it will get to a point where you will have to surround your house with a big wall and make sure you protect yourself. It is the responsibility of government to pass a law forbidding that. What is killing Nigeria more than corruption is impunity; people do whatever they want and get away with it. Nothing happens to them. So, if I do this today and nothing happens to me, it will encourage me to do it tomorrow. If this government can kill impunity; if this government can start punishing people that are doing the wrong thing, then this government will help. But just for them to reveal that someone has been kidnapped or abducted and at the end of the day, they go and sleep on their bed, it is not good news for the country.
The Kano State Government has absolved itself of any blame in this scandal. What is your reaction to that?
Go to Kano; do your research. You will find many girls that are under the hands of some Muslims in this kind of manner. I don’t want to join issues with the Kano government; I am talking about actual happenings. If those that were supposed to have played their roles had done so, that girl would have gone back. More than anything else, the Islamic leadership must pass a law that nobody should steal a Christian girl and marry her. That is not the way we marry culturally or religiously. Why are they trying to act different? Someone takes a small girl and tears her to pieces in the name of marrying her. He just steals and they allow him to go scot-free. I think the Islamic leaders should look into that. Let that one be done in their own religion if they don’t care. But tearing small girls apart is unethical; it is a sin against humanity and against God.
I don’t know why the government is keeping quiet that it is religion. There is no religion that says anyone should go and steal someone’s daughter and then force her to be a Muslim. That is wrong; it must be condemned and stopped before it gets out of control. These girls that are taken away have brothers and sisters; they have parents and relations. If those people begin to try to give trouble in the manner they got it, Nigeria will be a different place. I pray it doesn’t get to that place. I plead with the religious clerics and traditional rulers that they should make it a point that those kind of happenings only occur in Islam. Anybody who is not a Muslim should not be forced into it. The idea of taking somebody else’s daughter, marrying her and putting a hijab on her; they should stop that nonsense. It is not applicable to Christians.
Do you think President Muhammadu Buhari should have waded into this controversy by now?
Buhari has many things on his hands. Buhari cannot just sit down there and start handling issues. You need to find out, was he told? You cannot just talk about Buhari on this issue. He is our President; was he told? Sometimes, we just sit and start criticising the leaders, condemning them, when they don’t even know. Now that he is the President, everybody will think that for every little thing that happens in every corner, he should know. In the Minna case, for instance, we took it up to the presidency. The presidency gave orders, but the state government refused to obey and nothing happened; that is the most painful one. But in this one, we should not bring our President Buhari in if we have not told him.
The mother of 14-year-old Ese Oruru, Mrs. Rose Oruru, has said Yunusa Dahiru, aka Yellow, betrayed her and her family by abducting her teenage daughter from Bayelsa.
Ese was abducted by Yunusa, in August 2015.
The teenagee was forced to convert to Islam and forced into marriage with Yunusa.
Ese and Yenusa case
Ese was reunited with her family this week following a massive campaign by PUNCH newspaper, which generated national outrage and forced the authorities to ensure she was taken from Kano and reunited with her family.
Rose dismissed the claim by Yunusa’s father that the abductor had stayed with the Orurus for 10 years as a house help.
The teenager’s mother said they only got to know Yunusa at about 2012.
Our correspondent gathered that this was the period Yinusa came to the Opolo area, where the residence of the Orurus was located.
It was gathered that Yunusa usually helped people carry their loads from the market.
That was how the Orurus got to know him.
Rose also said sometime in 2012, the family decided to help him with somewhere to sleep at night.
Before then, our correspondent gathered that Yunusa usually slept in different places in the area, including churches.
She said, “Yunusa was one of the Hausa people in the area, and he used to come to my shop to buy food, and sometimes when he did not have money, we would sell to him on credit or give him food for free.
“When we discovered that he needed a place to lay his head at night, I decided to help him by allowing him to pass the night in the shop, but not to live there.
“We did not know he would turn against us and kidnap our daughter. Yunusa betrayed me and my family, despite how we helped him.”
Rose described him as someone who was known to people around the area because he was friendly .
She said he sold firewood for some time until someone in the area gave him a tricycle to ride.
“I remember that he behaved like a good person; people in our area knew him very well. Nobody would have thought he could do such a thing,” she added.
According to Rose, Yunusa was asked to stop coming to sleep in her shop in 2013 after some items got missing in the shop.
Rose said items such as rice and bottles of soft drinks disapperared.
She said, “That was when I became suspicious. Since I could not prove it, I just asked him to stop coming to the shop to pass the night. This was in late 2012 or early 2013.
“I had to start locking the fridge and my cupboard. Why would I do that if I had trusted him?”
She said people who said Ese willingly travelled to Kano with him did not know Yunusas history.
She recalled that a few weeks after she asked Yunusa to stop coming to sleep in her shop, her shop was burgled.
She said she lost valuables, including food items and a big television set that came with a DVD player.
“That television set was even bigger than the one currently in my shop. We do not want to lay blame on anyone because we could not say that this was the person that did it,” she added.
She said a year later, Yunusa started coming to the shop to buy food.
She said, “He came one day to beg me to forgive him. I then told him that I did not hold anything against him that I had forgiven him.
“But how could I have known that he was planning to do something bad to my daughter?
“I know my daughter, Ese, she would never have done such a thing with someone like Yunusa. She did not go to Kano with him on her own accord.”
Medical report not for the public
The police have said the report of the medical examination carried out on Ese Oruru will not be made public.
The Force stated that the medical report was confidential and not for public consumption.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Olabisi Kolawole, who said this in response to an inquiry from our correspondent on Thursday, explained that the report was not ready yet.
According to her, the police will respect Ese’s privacy and will not disclose the result of the medical examination.
She added that the report would be given to investigators to assist them in their work.
“When Ese’s medical is ready, it will be handed over to the investigators and it will not be made public by the police as we respect the privacy of the girl-child (Ese),” Kolawole said.
The police had earlier said it had carried out various medical tests on the teenager, whose rescue from forced marriage and conversion to Islam, was championed by PUNCH newspapers.
It was learnt that the police had carried out different tests on Ese, including pregnancy and HIV/AIDS tests.
On Ese’s abductor, Yunusa Dahiru, the police spokesperson said he had been transfered to Bayelsa State, where he would be tried for his crime.
“Yunusa is already in Bayelsa,” Kolawole said.
Claim of innocence irrelevant
The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, has dismissed the claim by the father of Yunusa Dahiru, who abducted Ese, that his son had not committed any crime.
Arase stated this on Thursday during a one-day awareness workshop on sexual and gender based violence in Nigeria, organised by the Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with Cleen Foundation and Ford Foundation in Benin, the Edo State capital.
Ese was taken to Kano from Bayelsa in August 2015 by Yunusa, where he converted her to Islam and forcefully married her without the consent of her parents.
She was, however, released on February 29.
The father of the suspect, Alhaji Dairu Bala, had reportedly said at his Tofa home in the Kuru Local Government Area of Kano State that his son followed “his heart” when the teenage girl “fell in love” with him and “followed him.”
But Arase, who spoke through the Gender Officer, Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department, Mrs. Mairo Adebalogun, noted that Bala’s claim of innocence was irrelevant, adding that Yunusa would be prosecuted.
Arase said, “The father is not the person in the picture of this issue; it is his son. The police are going to investigate and if they find him wanting, they will prosecute him.”
PSC to dismiss indicted police officers
The Police Service Commission has said it will dismiss from service, any police officer found culpable in the abduction of Ese Oruru.
The commission said it was waiting for the report of the ongoing investigation of some police officers involved in the case, as directed by the Inspector-General of Police.
A statement by the PSC spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani, on Thursday in Abuja said the commission “will ensure that any police officer who is found to have compromised himself either by omission or commission in the saga will be flushed out.”
It commended the IG “for his swift action in rescuing the teenager and ensuring that she was immediately reunited with her family,” adding that it would work with Arase to see that Nigerians, including the likes of Ese were guaranteed their freedom to life.
My daughter was raped
The father of Ese Oruru says their underage daughter was raped by Yunusa.
Charles Orurus, in an interview on the rumoured pregnancy of the minor, said his daughter had been forced to convert to Islam and into a child marriage without their consent.
Charles said, “My daughter was raped by that man. I saw the sign when I saw her last night. We are glad that stage one is over. I am happy she has been finally released and I have seen her, but I am sad. Now we will have to face whatever comes next.”
He, however, said the family would hold a meeting in the next few days to take a collective decision on the matter.
H also told our correspondent that he would meet with the police, lawyers, and other concerned persons on the issue.
Ese’s mum, Rose, however, said she could not say for certain that Ese was pregnant, adding that medical tests would confirm her suspicion.
The teenager’s mother also said Ese did not know she was in Kano State until after some time.
“It was like she had been hypnotised,” she said.
When asked what she would do if her daughter was indeed pregnant.
“Until then,” she said.
Dickson orders trial of abductors
The Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, has called for a comprehensive investigation into Ese’s abduction and subsequent prosecution of the culprits.
A statement by the state government on Thursday said the governor spoke in Yenagoa, shortly after receiving Ese and her parents in the Government House.
While describing the incident as unfortunate, Dickson directed the Ministry of Justice to collaborate effectively with the police towards ensuring that Ese’s abduction was prosecuted to a logical conclusion.
Dickson, who described Ese as a minor, wondered why it took so long to secure her release, adding that, there were questions begging for answers.
The governor was quoted as saying, “This matter has to do with enforcement of the laws of this state. This matter is not religious; It is not a matter that has to be swept under the carpet.
“I have directed the Ministry of Justice to collaborate with the police to ensure that this matter is prosecuted to a logical conclusion.”
The governor directed that a team of medical personnel and counsellors be set up to liaise with Ese and her parents to offer support to reintegrate Ese to the society.
According to raisingchildren.net.au , there isn’t a ‘right age’ to start having relationships – every child is different, and every family / culture will feel differently about this issue. But here are some averages:
From 9-11 years, your child might start to show more independence from the family and more interest in friends.
From 10-14 years, your child might want to spend more time in mixed gender groups, which might eventually end up in a romantic relationship.
From 15-19 years, romantic relationships can become central to social life. Friendships might become deeper and more stable.
There is a lot of controversy about Ese’s age, but the excellent investigative journalism by AIT with the interview of her parents confirm that Ese is in fact 13 yrs old so there is no need to waste time debating about this.
As a mother of a teenage son myself, I know that many teenagers spend a lot of time thinking and talking about being in a relationship. In these years, teenage relationships might last only a few weeks or months. It’s also normal for children to have no interest in romantic relationships until their late teens. Some choose to focus on schoolwork, sport or other interests.
Each parent is different, and no one has a right to tell another parent how to raise their child. But the problem is when the general public decides to have an opinion over a young girl’s sexuality. Going over Linda Ikeji’s blog when it was announced that Ese had in fact chosen to stay in Kano, the comments people left on the article made me nauseous. They had no respect for her privacy, and no one even viewed her as a child.
It is very disturbing that our society does not view child sexuality any different from adult sexuality. They take it lightly and find it funny that a 13 year old confused and vulnerable, who has obviously made some poor choices should be made an object of ridicule. Social media particularly has not been very responsible in discussion the issue.
Further, the NUJ code of ethics stipulates “A journalist should not identify, either by name or picture, or interview children under the age of 16 who are involved in cases concerning sexual offences, crimes and rituals or witchcraft either as victims, witnesses or defendants.” Now that the story has broken that Ese may be pregnant, I appeal to the media, mainstream and social media to please respect the privacy of this family.
No good will come from engrossing the National attention on this issue now that she is back with her family. The respectable thing to do is to pressure the relevant ministries such as the ministry of social services to take action. Pictures of the ministry of women affairs and child development should be the one pasted on papers not Ese’s to ensure there is follow up without invading the privacy of the family.
Biologically speaking, puberty is the period when an adolescent reaches physical growth and sexual maturity. It is marked with bodily changes and change in feeling towards opposite sex due to increase in sex hormones. This period starts from late childhood and ends with early adulthood (12 to 18 years).
In this crucial stage, adolescence is influenced by peer pressure especially the opposite sex peers. Puberty is a period marked with rapid physical growth leading to sexual maturity and psychological changes. The average onset of puberty is at 10 or 11 for girls and age 12 or 13 for boys.
Girls become sexually and physically mature two years earlier than boys. Puberty begins with a surge in hormone production, which in turn causes a number of physical changes a an adolescent is going through drastic physical changes she also goes through psychological, mental and emotional changes. Stanley Hall, a well known psychologist, describes this stage as the period full of “storm and stress”. This phase is marked with psychologically growing-up. Ericson, another psychologist refers this stage as “Identity Crisis” referring to confusion in identifying oneself neither as a child nor as an adult.
The early and late childhood period boys like to play with boys and girls prefer to be comfortable in the company of girls. Developing relationship with same sex friends and getting their approval and acceptance is one of the important characteristic of interpersonal relationship. The maximum socialization takes place during this stage. But as childhood period end and child enters into an adolescent stage suddenly due to hormonal changes and development of secondary sex characteristics the interest in opposite sex becomes more significant.
Suddenly an adolescent becomes self conscious and her outlook changes. She becomes conscious towards herself as well as towards opposite sex. An adolescent spends lot of time looking at himself or herself in the mirror, new look in hair style, preference in clothing and dressing up manners changes, use of cosmetics and interest in looking good increases. Sudden changes occur in improving self image and having better self impression on opposite sex. Girls become shy in the presence of the opposite sex.
Is all this my attempt at using pchychology to justify Ese’s behavior? NO! What I am in fact saying is that is normal for her to be interested in the opposite sex, but that is not a reason to make her an object of ridicule. She is still a child, and it is the responsibility of society to protect her till she reaches the age of consent. Just because she is an adolescent with raging hormones doesn’t mean she is a responsible adult ready to make decisions on her own. All responsible adults in her life have to protect her till she is mature enough to understand what she is getting herself into.
Back in 2013, a Time magazine article on abduction began like this…
“Abduction is a singularly grotesque transaction. In a single instant, a relationship between two people changes to one of captor and prisoner, owner and chattel. One holds absolute power and the other holds none.”
The Nigerian, media had a fanfare with word abduction, but when Ese was being returned, there were a crowd of men around her, the video circulating the web showed a terrified little girl trying to hold on to some sort of control. There was no comforting voice. Once again, there was absolutely no recognition that this was just a child. For Heaven sakes, Ese is just a child.
She may or may have not chosen to have gone to Kano. It doesn’t take a genius to know that it will be traumatizing to be the center so much controversy. She may or may not be in love. It does not take a PhD to know that no one would want their their private life broadcasted on air. An adult would be nerve wracked to go through what Ese has been through.
The American Psychological Association say, According to research, hostage survivors often develop an unconscious bond to their captors and experience grief if their captors are harmed. They may also feel guilty for developing a bond. This is typically referred to as the Stockholm syndrome. Hostage survivors may also have feelings of guilt for surviving while others did not. It is important for survivors to recognize that these are usual human reactions to being held captive.
When hostages are released, it is essential for them to:
Receive medical attention.
Be in a safe and secure environment.
Connect with loved ones.
Have an opportunity to talk or journal their experience if and when they choose.
Receive resources and information about how to seek counseling, particularly if their distress from the incident is interfering with their daily lives.
Protect their privacy (e.g. avoid media overexposure including watching and listening to news and participating in media interviews).
Take time to adjust back into family and work.
I am writing this as a teacher and a mother, Please for the love of God, leave this child alone to go back to school no more media coverage on this story, it’s doing Ese more harm than good. As long as she is below the age of consent, all responsible adults should act like it! Let her have some privacy. Her entire life is still ahead of her.
By Clifford Ndujihe, Kingsley Omonobi, Abdulsalam Muhammad, Dapo Akinrefon, Wahab Abdullah, Charles Kumolu & Gbenga Oke
Ese and Yenusa case
ABUJA — 14-year-old Ese Rita Oruru, the Delta State-born girl-child, resident in Bayelsa, who was abducted by Yunusa Dahiru, alias Yellow, but rescued by the Police in Kano, has been discovered to be about five months pregnant, very reliable sources have told Vanguard.
Ese Rita Oruru, arrived Yenagoa yesterday and she is presently quartered at the police officers mess Yenagoa. She came in company of her mother, Mrs Rose Oruru and securirity escorts who drove them quietly to the Offciers Mess.
This came as Dahiru Bala, the biological father of Yunusa, declared, yesterday, that his son never cohabited with Ese Oruru because of embedded contraption highly offensive to his religion.
This is as some prominent Nigerians, including Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, former Lagos State Police Commissioner, Abubakar Tsav; Second Republic politician and lawyer, Guy Ikokwu and women NGOs, said the law should take its course on the matter and expressed anger over the teenager’s pregnancy.
It was gathered that the white Hijab she wore on her arrival from Kano on Tuesday was used to cover the pregnancy, even though her physical condition and looks created suspicion.
Vanguard was told that it was the condition the Police authorities discovered about Ese that informed the IGP, Solomon Arase’s directive that she should be handed over to the Gender and Child Protection Unit.
A similar directive was given to a team from the Medical Department of the Force to carry out a comprehensive medical examination on the girl at the Police Medical Facility in Area 1, Garki, Abuja.
Upon certifying her medical status and emotional state, Vanguard gathered that the Inspector-General of Police, feeling uncomfortable with the transport arrangement of the mother that they returned by road, cancelled the arrangement and directed that both Ese and her mother be flown to Yenagoa.
Meanwhile, the IGP has directed the Bayelsa State Police Command to take over investigation of the case since, according to sources, the offence was committed in Bayelsa, which is the place of residence of the abductor, Yunusa Dahiru.
Consequently, Vanguard was told that Yunusa would be moved to Yenagoa to face interrogation and prosecution for kidnapping and child abuse as well as violence against a girl-child. The Inspector-General of Police had earlier vowed that Yunusa and all other actors in the seven-month-old abduction saga would be brought to justice.
He said it was the only way the nation would make a clear statement in unison that any individual who violated the sanctity of the rights of children shall be dealt with in accordance with extant laws of the country.
The IGP spoke as Mrs. Rose Oruru, Ese’s mother, thanked all Nigerians, the Nigerian Police Force and well wishers, who assisted in one way or the other to ensure her daughter was brought back alive and safe, saying she could not say much for now.
Speaking through the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olabisi Kolawole at Force Headquarters, shortly before Ese’s mother, Mrs Rose Oruru, was led to take custody of her daughter, the IGP said: “Aside prosecution of the actors directly involved in this case, the Inspector General of Police has also ordered an in-house administrative inquiry designed to review the professional conduct of officers responsible for the initial investigation of this case. Any officer indicted of professional dereliction will be firmly dealt with accordingly.”
My son never cohabited with Ese — Yunusa’s father
Meanwhile, Dahiru Bala, the biological father of Yunusa Yellow, declared yesterday that his son never cohabited with Ese Oruru because of embedded contraption highly offensive to his religion”.
Dahiru in an exclusive interview with Vanguard at his country home, Kauyen Tofa in Kura local government area of kano State, said: “There was no marriage between my son and Ese Oruru due to contradiction and illegality involved.
“The love relationship between my son and Ese was built on ignorance of their religious backgrounds which made it difficult for anyone to support their marriage proposal.”
Dahiru Bala, 55, disclosed that traditional authorities were fully briefed about an impending illegality when his son, Yunusa, who he said was 25, informed him of his decision to elope with her lover.
“I promptly reported the matter to the village head and on their arrival, they were taken to his home, who in turn reported to the District Head at Kura, headquarters of Kura local government area.
“Yunusa was a house help to Oruru’s family for 10 years and when he told me of his love relationship with Ese, I opposed it because we already have a proposal for him in the village.
“Sequel to the request of Ese, she was converted to Islam on the order of the District Head before he was taken to the Emir’s palace for his final say.”
The farmer said that on arrival at the Emir’s palace, a senior counsellor who took the brief, summoned the Sharia Commission to take custody of Ese Oruru till the following day when the emir would be available.
Shedding more light on the Yunusa/Ese Oruru love saga, Dahiru Bala disclosed that the emir, who subsequently met with them, ordered the Sharia commission to liaise with the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 1 to return her home with immediate effect. According to Yunusa’s father,
“the much anticipated return of Ese Oruru to Bayelsa was truncated by her when she broke down in the AIG’s office and raised safety questions to her life back home. Subsequently, the move was halted to pave way for investigation”.
The suspect’s father, who was surrounded by his village men during the encounter, said “the last we heard of Ese Oruru was that she was in custody of Sharia commission, who kept her in the home of the District Head at Kura.”
She should be allowed to deliver the baby—Tsav Reacting to the development, retired Police Commissioner, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav said: “There is a difference between elopement and abduction. If the suspect is of age, he should be prosecuted. If I were in the position of the parents, I would allow her to deliver after which she should be allowed to make her choice.”
Pregnancy unfortunate, inevitable —Joe Odumakin President of the Women Arise for Change Initiative and the Campaign for Democracy, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin said “it is the most unfortunate aspect of the Ese Oruru saga and it is inevitable. But the fact remains that there are more dangers than one can imagine for a 14 year old to become a mother in such a manner as this.”
She, however, added that those found culpable of the act, no matter how highly placed, should be brought to book. She said: “There are no two ways about this, a crime has been committed by the man, Yunusa alias Yellow, who abducted the teenage girl all the way from Bayelsa State to Kano State for a forced marriage and conversion of religion.
The Nigerian law does not recognise such illegality with an under-aged and nothing should be spared at ensuring that the main culprit and everyone involved, no matter how highly placed, are brought to book.”
The law should take its course – Ikokwu
Second Republic politician and lawyer, Chief Guy Ikokwu said: ‘’The law should take its course as the molestation and abuse of children and infants is rampant in our society. It should not take the intervention of a monarch, the IGP or the governor or president for police officers trained in crime prevention to do their normal work. Ese Oruru’s father has given glory to God as what happened was not Christian or Islamic like the Chibok episode.
Asked his opinion on Ese’s pregnancy and what the parents should do, he said: ‘’The pregnancy is a family matter. It is for the family to decide. The abduction is a criminal matter but the pregnancy is a family issue. Under the law, we cannot advice the girl to go and commit an abortion. The girl may die in the process. It is for the family to decide.’’
The issue is an embarrassment to Nigeria— Dr Junaid Mohammed
“The issue of the elopement of Ese is an embarrassment to this nation and without mincing words, Yunusa shows irresponsibility and the law should take its course on him. Also, the Emir of Kano should be investigated by the police because the statement he gave is not enough to exonerate him in the whole issue.
“As far as I am concerned, this issue has nothing to do with religion but a fundamental issue that must be tackled head on and I am calling on the Bayelsa State governor to look into the girl’s issue and help her out.” Funmi Falana, Executive Director, Women Empowerment and Legal Advocacy, WELA, said:
“it is unfortunate that the young girl has become a victim of violence against girl child in the society. “Her situation or experience could be likened to a rape because she was not properly married and her consents were not sought, which is contrary to the law.
“As it is now, the man should be arrested and prosecuted and not allowed to go scot free. The punishment is seven years jail sentence.
“As to the predicament of the girl, she should not be allowed to bear that child and the accompanied pains because she is not biologically fit for it. If allowed to bear the pregnancy, she may have VVF. A case of a girl raped in Agege was handled by us, the girl was operated upon.
“However, if she carried the pregancy eventually, she should be delivered through cessarian session. She should be adequately taken care of.”
Another woman lawyer based in Benue, Mrs Patience Joseph, who is the coordinator of Nigeria Women Against Poverty, NWAP, said, “The issue is still strange to me. This is because, I can’t imagine how the little girl started fraternizing with the alleged abductor, under the nose of her parents to the extent she was ‘shipped’ out of Bayelsa.
“However, this is not the issue on ground now. The only solution is for the state (government) to first determine the condition of the girl, the blood sample of the abductor, and make adequate medical findings to determine if he is responsible and also determine if she will be medically fit to carry the pregnancy.
“After this, the issue has become a crime against the man, no matter what the circumstances in which he met the young girl.
“In Islam under which guise he may hide for instance, it is condition precedent that the consent of the proposed lady must be sought and that of the parent before a valid marriage can be consummated alongside the payment of dowry.
“In this situation none of these conditions are met apart from engaging the little girl in family way prematurely. So, he must be made to account for his deeds according to the law.
“One cannot recommend the abortion of the foetus which is illegal, except on medical conditions, supported by proper directive from a qualified medical personnel.”
Neighbours, relations and friends besiege Orurus’ Opolo residence
Meanwhile, neighbours, relations and friends of the Orurus including newsmen had besieged their Opolo residence awaiting the arrival their receive when news filtered in that they were at the Mess. A resident who pleaded anonymity said “we are waiting the mother and daughter to be sure that they are back.”
At the police officers Mess, journalists were denied access to the girl by security operatives who claimed they were acting on instruction from above. But a police confided in Vanguard saying:
“tthere is a directive that the girl should be accommodated at the Mess for three days because of the trauma she has passed through.” As at the time of filing this report journalists were still keeping vigil at the mess.
The Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, has queried the AIG, Zone 1, Kano, Shuaibu Gambo, and the Commissioners of Police in charge of Bayelsa and Kano states over the shoddy handling of Ese Oruru’s abduction and her forceful conversion to Islam.
Police Inspector General, Solomon Arase
A highly placed source told one of our correspondents on Wednesday that the officers were accused of not giving the case the attention it deserved and for allowing it to drag on for over six months before it came to Arase’s notice.
The IG, it was learnt, was embarrassed by the lack of professionalism exhibited by the three senior officers “who failed to carry out a thorough investigation into the incident within a short time.”
The source said, “The IG has directed that the AIG and the two CPs in Bayelsa and Kano should be queried for failing to handle Ese’s case with the professionalism expected of senior officers like them and for allowing the case to drag on for a long time without notifying the Force headquarters about the challenges they were facing.”
It was gathered that Arase was particularly annoyed by the conduct of the AIG and his lackadaisical approach to the case.
“Emir Lamido Sanusi’s explanation indicated that the AIG was to blame for the shoddy handling of the case; the IG was totally disappointed in Gambo and his role in the abduction saga,” another source stated.
It was gathered that the police had begun an investigation into the matter with a view to punishing the investigating officers responsible for the shoddy job.
“I can tell you that all those responsible for this embarrassment will not go scot-free. Definitely, heads will roll,” the source added.
Findings indicated that the police were awaiting the report of the medical examination carried out on Ese to determine other charges that would be preferred against her abductor.
Yunusa faces sex crime charges in Bayelsa
It was learnt that Ese’s abductor, Yunusa Dahiru, who faces kidnapping charges, among others, would be prosecuted in Bayelsa State, where the crime took place, while the Kano Sharia Council members would also be arrested for their roles in the teenager’s forceful conversion to Islam.
Arase had come under fire for the failure of the police to rescue Ese who was abducted from her home in Bayelsa, converted to Islam and married by Yunusa, who took her to Kano, where he along with the Kano Sharia Council members prevented Ese’s mother from having access to her.
The police may prefer sexual abuse and defilement charges against Ese Oruru’s abductor, it was learnt.
Our correspondents learnt that a prima facie case had been established against Yunusa.
A source said the report of a preliminary investigation submitted to the IG indicated that Yunusa had carnal knowledge of Ese.
“The legal department of the police has started compiling criminal charges against Yunusa, based on theprima facie case that had been established against him. If the charges are proven against him in court, I see him spending a long time behind bars,” the source stated.
It was learnt that the medical report on Ese would be tendered as evidence against the abductor.
The police spokesperson declined to comment on the charges that would be preferred against Yunusa, saying investigation had yet to be concluded.
Nigerians worked hard for my daughter’s release
Ese’s mother who was dressed in a red blouse over an Ankara wrapper met with the IG before she addressed a joint press briefing with the Force Public Relations Officer, Olabisi Kolawole, on Wednesday.
She thanked the media, the police and Nigerians for assisting her to recover her daughter.
Mrs. Oruru who spoke in pidgin English for just 19 seconds, said she would be going home with her daughter, adding that she had taken custody of Ese.
She said, “All Nigerians worked hard so I can get my daughter back. Now that I have her, all that is left for me is to go home. I thank everyone, including the police, who made it possible; I have taken custody of my daughter and I would be going home with her.”
Kolawole said that aside from Yunusa, other actors in the abduction saga would be apprehended and prosecuted.
Police begin in-house inquiry
Kolawole also stated that the IG had ordered an in-house administrative inquiry to review the professional conduct of officers involved in the initial investigation of the case, noting that any officer indicted for professional dereliction would be firmly dealt with.
Kolawole said, “I can assure you that the abductor (Yunusa) and all other actors (Kano Sharia Council members) in this abduction saga will be brought to justice. This is the only way this nation can make a clear statement in unison that any individual that violates the sanctity of the rights of our children shall be dealt with in accordance with extant laws of our country.
“Aside from the prosecution of the actors directly involved in this case, the IG has also ordered an in-house administrative enquiry designed to review the professional conduct of officers responsible for the initial investigation of the case. Any officer indicted for professional dereliction will be firmly dealt with, accordingly.”
The police spokesperson said Ese was being given psychological and emotional support by the Gender and Child Protection unit of the police which handles cases of violence against children.
“In addition, a team from the medical department of the Force is also extending medical attention to the girl-child and upon certifying her medical status and emotional state, Ese will be re-united with her parents,” Kolawole explained.
She urged the media to respect the privacy and protective rights of Ese and her family, stressing that it is the minimum legal and international requirement in cases of that nature.
“As a civilised nation, this is a standard we should not compromise in the long term interest of the girl-child victim and her traumatised family,” the police spokesperson added.
Schoolmates send messages of support
Following the release of Ese, many Nigerians, including her friends, have expressed their relief and gratitude.
One of Ese’s friends, 14-year-old SS1 student, Miss Pere Success, said, “I am very happy she has been released. We last saw before we did our junior WAEC last year.
“I cannot imagine losing Ese because she is one of my best friends. I am very happy that she has been released.”
Another of Ese’s close friends, Miss Hattarrh Ozekime, who will be 15 later this year, said, “I was shocked when some people said Ese was not 14 years old, because that is her real age. Ese and I are very close. I don’t think she has had any problem in school. We first met each other in JSS1. We both have the dream of studying medicine and becoming medical doctors in the future.
“If Ese were here, I am sure she would have been in the science class, like me, and we would still be sitting together in class. I will be so happy to see her again.
“Her education is her first priority. She does not play with it. Her favourite subject is Integrated Science, but I believe she would also like biology and mathematics in SS1. I will hug her when I see her again.
“Ese, please come back to school; I want you to know that we love you so much and miss you. And when you come back, you will still be our best friend.”
Another of Ese’s classmates, 14-year-old Esther Ikaye, said, “I will like to see her again because we have been friends since JSS1. I will like us to be in the same class since she wanted to be a medical doctor, while I want to become a nurse.”
Fourteen-year-old Agamade Miebimo said, “Ese is kind. I dont think she would have deliberately followed that man because she is not the kind of person that follows men about. I am praying that she will come back home soon. I am missing her a lot.”
Michael Emena, 15, said he was very angry when he heard about her abduction because he had been friends with Ese since JSS2.
He said, “She would not have followed that man on her own accord because she only moves with people she is very familiar with.”
Another of her classmates, Adewale Joseph, said, “Ese, welcome back. I am so happy. Thank God you are alive.”
All of Ese’s friends our correspondent spoke to called for justice for her. They said Yunusa should be prosecuted because he might have “done bad things” to her and might do the same thing to another young girl if not punished.”
The Orurus said that their daughter had been forced to convert to Islam and into a child marriage without their consent.
A teacher in the school, Mr. Sunny Julius, said, “I am so happy she has been released. ”
Ese tries to hide identity, protruded tummy
Ese Oruru and her mother, Rose Oruru, were sighted at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Wednesday as they made their way to Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
It was learnt that the duo would leave for Yenegoa, Bayelsa State, from Port Harcourt.
Our correspondent gathered that they boarded an Air Peace flight around 4.30pm.
At the airport on Wednesday, the rescued teenager did not put on the hijab which she wore when she arrived in Abuja from Kano State on Tuesday.
Rather, she wore a fez cap, possibly to conceal her identity from other passengers, NAIA workers and airport users.
Ese wore a large blue long sleeves shirt on a pair of jeans and carried a black bag when she was sighted with her mother at the Abuja airport.
The 14-year-old and her mother were escorted to the airport by armed police officers, who shielded them from other passengers at the facility.
Our correspondent observed that Ese’s tummy was protruding as one who was pregnant.
Armed officers who escorted the minor ensured that no one came close as they hurriedly led the girl and her mother to the flight and stopped attempts to get their photographs.
Jubilation as Ese arrives Bayelsa
Ese and her mother arrived Bayelsa a few minutes to 9pm on Wednesday.
At her family house, relatives and neighbours who had been waiting burst into songs on sighting the mother.
It was learnt that Ese was with the CP of the state. She is expected to meet with Governor Seriake Dickson today (Thursday), before going home.
The mother of 14-year-old Ese Oruru has finally reunited with her daughter in Abuja.
Ese and Yenusa case
The Tuesday reunion came almost eight months after her abduction from Bayelsa to Kano State by Yunusa, aka Yellow, a regular customer at her mother’s food stall, in August last year.
In an exclusive, but brief chat with our correspondent at about 9.45pm, Ese sounded happy on the telephone.
She said, “Hello,” and laughed when our correspondent spoke to her.
“How are you?” Our correspondent asked. She laughed and replied ‘Fine.”
“We are glad you are safe and on your way back home.”
“Who is this,” she asked.
“How was your journey?”
“We have not started the journey, maybe tomorrow,” she said, probably referring to the onward trip to Bayelsa.
“Hope they treated you well and you are fine?”
“I am not fine,” she said curtly.
“Why?”
She replied, “When I come we should see. I don’t know you.”
“I will be looking forward to meeting you,” our correspondent replied.
Govs, reps call for Yunusa, accomplices’ trial
THE governors of Kano and Delta states, as well as members of the House of Representatives on Tuesday demanded the immediate prosecution of the abductor of 14-year-old Ese Oruru, Yunusa, aka Yellow, who also forced her into marriage and conversion to Islam.
The minor had on Monday been rescued from Kano State, where she had been taken to by her paedophile captor, Yunusa, barely 24 hours after The PUNCH newspapers inaugurated a campaign to free Ese.
Ese, who hails from Delta State, was abducted from Yenagoa, Bayelsa State on August 12, 2015.
The Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganguje, on Tuesday condemned the alleged abduction, adding nobody brought the matter to his attention, noting that he only got to know through the media.
This was contained in a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Mallam Mohammed Garba.
The state demanded the prosecution of Yunusa and others involved in the scandal.
The statement read in part, “The government condemns the actions of the alleged abductor, as it is against the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and teachings of Islam which abhor abduction, forced marriage even with the consent of parents of a girl, be her a minor or adult, and forced conversion to Islam, as the Quran categorically states that ‘there is no compulsion in religion’.
“Security and other relevant agencies should expedite action to bring the suspect(s) to book according to the law.”
The Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, expressed shock at the abduction given the age of the girl and the lack of consent by her parents.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, Okowa said he was saddened by the ordeal of the minor.
“I am very much interested in this case, not only because the girl is an indigene of Delta State, but for the rule of law. I want the police to pursue it to its logical conclusion. Nothing short of diligent prosecution of the abductors will be satisfactory,” he stated.
The governor, who expressed disappointment at the length of time it took to unravel the incident, urged members of the public to always speak up whenever they were victims of undesirable social vices and pledged that the state was taking steps to reach out to the parents for necessary intervention.
The House of Representatives members in Abuja on Tuesday also asked the Federal Government to bring the “full weight of the law” on Yunusa and other persons involved in the abduction to serve as a deterrent to others who might be planning such acts in the future.
The lawmakers said rescuing her was not a compensation for the fact that a crime had been committed and her fundamental human rights already violated.
The House Minority Leader, Mr. Leo Ogor, said the government must respond to the issue “more forcefully” by ensuring that Yunusa and his accomplices were adequately punished.
Ogor said, “Whether the girl has been rescued or not is not the issue because those people that are involved in the criminality must be made to face the wrath of the law.
“We should go further to find out who these culprits are. How were they able to perpetrate the crime? Who are their supporters? Who are the people behind this dastardly act? We must find them and make sure they face the wrath of the law.
“The public also must learn to speak out at this particular time so that some of these issues can easily be addressed.”
Ese hails from the Ugheli-North/Ugheli-South Federal Constituency in Delta State. Her Representative, Mr. Solomon Awhinahwi, also condemned the abduction.
“We have the laws to take care of this type of crime. We should enforce them. People should desist from acting as if we don’t have these laws,” he said.
Awhinahwi singled out PUNCH newspapers for commendation over the manner the media outfit inaugurates a campaign for the release of Ese.
“PUNCH newspapers did a marvellous job. The way they started reporting the story, keeping it on the front page, made the news to spread.
“I applaud the role of PUNCH in this fight and we thank all those who supported this fight,” he added.
Group, SAN back prosecution of Ese’s abductor
The Muslim Rights Concern has called for the arrest of Yunusa, aka Yellow, for abducting Ese Oruru from Bayelsa.
This is just as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Norrison Quakers, said Yunusa should be prosecuted and warned that the case should not be confused with religious sentiment.
MURIC in a statement on Tuesday by its Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, demanded that Yunusa should be prosecuted.
The statement read in part, “Our position is based on the fact that the girl is a minor. Attempting to marry off the girl without her parents’ permission is not only a breach of common law, but also a violation of the Sharia provision on the need for the parents’ approval before nikah (Islamic marriage) can be deemed valid (La nikah bila waliyyin).
“Of particular significance in this regard is the express command in the Glorious Qur’an that women should be married with the permission of their parents. The Qur’an says inter alia, ‘…And marry them (i.e. women) with the permission of their parents (Qur’an 4:25).’
“The boyfriend cannot go scot-free if it is established that he had had the carnal knowledge of the girl. In fact, his case is judiciable both before the Kano Sharia Court and the Yenagoa Court.
“The fact that Yunusa is a Muslim cannot becloud our sense of justice. The Qur’an commands Muslims to ‘…Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses of Allah, even if the case is against yourselves, or your parents, or your family, and whether it is against a rich or poor man… (Qur’an 4:135).”
MURIC said it could not afford to be partisan, adding that a fellow Muslim, Yunusa, had violated the law and caused a Christian family to go through a traumatic period.
It said, “Unless it can be proved that the girl came to Kano separately and alone, not in the company of Yunusa, the latter stands culpable.”
According to the group, the issue of Ese’s conversion does not even arise because she is deemed to be an adherent of her parents’ religion until she attains maturity.
MURIC said, “Section 38 (ii) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, stresses the right of parents on their children in matters of religion. The purported conversion is therefore null and void and of no consequence whatsoever. Ese Oruru cannot be free to choose her own faith until she is 18.”
Quakers while rejecting any excuse of elopement and calling for Yunusa’s prosecution, warned that the case should not be confused with religious sentiment.
Quakers said, “The excuse that the girl eloped with him will not protect him from being prosecuted. It is scandalous. The child does not have the mental capacity to make a rational or informed decision. It is wrong, wicked, criminal and inhuman for anybody to take such a girl, who is obviously a minor, and then say she eloped with him; that is a bad defence.
“And we should be very careful in the way we handle this, lest two religions are put on a collision course. This case has nothing to do with religion; we should not bring religious sentiment into this. The question should be whether the Nigerian law recognises what this man has done.”
Emir of Kano deserves no credit
The father of Ese, Mr. Charles Oruru, has indicted the Emir of Kano, Mallam Muhammadu Sanusi II, in his daughter’s travail.
Oruru, in an interview with Raypower FM, which was monitored by our correspondent on Tuesday, said Sanusi deserved no credit in the eventual release of Ese “as he only bowed to pressure from Nigerians”.
Ese was taken from Opolo, in the Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, to Kano State by Yunusa, aka Yellow, in August, 2015.
Oruru said, “The Emir did not play any role there. All security agencies in Yenagoa and in Abuja were also part of those who refused to help.
“That is the truth because when we got to Kano, we were told that the Emir had written a letter that the girl should be released on August 26, 2015, and this was not done.
“They wanted to keep the girl in Kano, but the pressure was everywhere after the whole world had heard about the matter, so he knew that if he didn’t release the girl, it would lead to a big problem.”
Sanusi had on Monday refuted claims that he sheltered Ese, saying he had ordered that the girl be taken to her parents since 2015.
The Emir, while speaking at a press conference, in his palace said he got to know that the girl was still in Kano when journalists from the BBC called him.
Sanusi had said, “Since the time we ordered that the girl be taken to her parents in Bayelsa through AIG Zone 1, we didn’t hear anything about her; just for us to now start hearing all kinds of stories that we are keeping her in our custody. This is injustice of the highest order.”
We can’t wait to see our sister
The family of Ese Oruru have expressed their joy over the release of the girl to the police.
Ese’s mother, Rose, told our correspondent before she left for Abuja that she was informed by the police at about 6am on Tuesday that her daughter had been released.
“I am so happy. In fact, I am bursting with joy,” she told our correspondent.
Afterwards, she left for the police station for onward movement to Abuja to reunite with her daughter, who was abducted by Yunusa, her long standing customer, and taken to Kano State in August 2015.
Ese’s release came after PUNCH inaugurated a campaign, ‘Free Ese’ on Sunday, which sparked nationwide outrage and forced the authorities to take action on securing the minor’s release from Yunusa in Kano.
Ese’s father also said he was earnestly waiting to set his eyes on his daughter.
He said, “These last eight months have not been easy for us. Through the help of family members and friends, we were able to raise money to travel to Kano to get her released, but nothing came out of it.
“Now we are happy. The money is not important. I am jobless for now, but I am so happy that my daughter is alive and coming back home.”
Ese’s siblings were equally ecstatic about her release.
One of them, Faith, who will be 19 next week, could not hide her joy as she spoke with our correspondent.
“I am very happy that she has been released. I can’t wait to see her. I have missed her funny smiles. She is very playful. I also missed her dancing; she likes to dance whenever she hears the sound of good music.”
Ese’s immediate elder brother, 16-year-old Onome, said they were planning to welcome her in a big way with her favourite food.
He said, “There will be music and lots of dancing. We are so relieved.
“We haven’t started preparing anything yet since we don’t really know when Ese and mum would be back. But we have so many plans, we just can’t wait.”
Patricia, the eldest, in her 20s, said she was keeping her emotions in check for now because of previous unfulfilled promises about Ese’s release.
“I don’t have any feelings yet until I touch my sister. I don’t have any plan yet until my mum calls me and tells me she has seen her daughter,” she said.
Addittionalreports by:
John Ameh, John Alechenu, Nosa Akenzua, Niyi Odebode and Ramon Oladimeji,Gbenro Adeoye and Arukaino Umukoro
Barely 24 hours after the inauguration of PUNCH newspapers campaign, 14-year-old Ese Oruru was rescued from Kano State where she had been taken to by her paedophile captor, Yinusa, aka Yellow.
Ese and Yenusa case
Ese, who was abducted on August 12, 2015, converted to Islam and forcefully married by Yinusa, was on Monday released to the police in Kano State.
The minor was released to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 1, Kano, Shuaibu Gambo, by the Kano Emirate Council.
The Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, who confirmed this to one of our correspondents via a text message, said Ese would soon be reunited with her parents.
He said, “She is safe with us. She will be reunited with her parents.”
The Force Public Relations Officer, Olabisi Kolawole, also confirmed that Ese had been released to the AIG Zone 1, adding that she would be brought to Abuja on Tuesday along with her parents.
She said, “Ese has been released and as I speak with you, she is with the AIG, Zone 1, Kano. She will be brought to Abuja tomorrow (Tuesday) along with her parents.
“The AIG Zone 1 has taken over the matter. The police swung into action and they are investigating at the moment. Investigation is still ongoing.
“All those involved in the saga would be dealt with according to the law. Any person indicted in the incident will be made to face the law.”
Asked if the police would conduct medical tests, including HIV/AIDS test on Ese, Kolawole stated that “all the necessary tests would be carried out.”
The Police Public Relations Officer, Zone 1, Kano, Rabiu Ubayi, also confirmed that Ese was with them in Kano.
The police spokesperson added that Yinusa had also been invited for questioning, and he was writing his statement when our correspondents called him separately on the telephone.
He said, “Presently, we are in action. We have found the girl. The police have invited all the parties. We invited the people who are holding her, including Yinusa himself.
“The girl and the man are here. They are writing statements. They are all in police custody. We have not concluded investigation at the moment. But they are all with us.”
Ese had been abducted in 2015 by Yinusa, who was a longstanding customer of her mother, Mrs. Rose Oruru, a food vendor in Opolo in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
Yinusa, a tricycle rider, took away the minor to Kano from her mother’s shop. Rose had gone out on the day, leaving Ese and her siblings in the shop.
Yinusa subsequently took Ese, who was 13 years old at the time, to Kano, where she was allegedly converted to Islam and forcefully married.
Rose’s attempts to get the girl released had met a brick wall until PUNCH newspaper’s campaign.
Prosecute Ese’s abductor, Yinusa
Nigerians are demanding sanctions for those who held 14-year-old Ese Oruru captive for eight months.
Ese was released to the police on Monday, 24 hours after PUNCH newspapers inaugurated a campaign to free the minor.
One Yinusa, aka Yellow, had abducted Ese in August 2015, taken her to Kano, had her converted to Islam and forcefully married her.
It took eight months, trips to Kano by her parents, a campaign by PUNCH, and outrage among Nigerians to secure her freedom.
Many Nigerians, who were shocked by Ese’s ordeal, have called on the Federal Government to ensure such an incident does not recur by dealing decisively with those that have contravened the country’s laws.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Jummai Alhassan, made it clear that laws had been broken, promising to prosecute those involved.
“Our laws are very clear on the case; Ese Oruru is 14 years and as such cannot consent to marriage. Any such union she’s in is illegal,” she said in a tweet.
Alhassan explained that since Ese was a child, her right to freedom of movement was subject to parental control.
“The Act also clearly states that anyone who marries a child is liable to a fine of N500,000 or five years’ imprisonment or both,” she said, adding that her ministry would ensure the full prosecution of anyone found to have contravened the law.
A former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, also called for the prosecution of those involved.
She called for an investigation into the incident and publication of findings about why Ese’s release was allowed to linger for so long.
Senator Ben Murray-Bruce had also, while calling on the Inspector-General of Police to free Ese, stressed that the IG must ensure that those involved did not go free.
A PUNCH reader, Obazee Osas, had while celebrating the news of Ese’s release, explained that his joy would not be complete if Yinusa was not prosecuted.
He said, “Yes, PUNCH, we did it! But this should not be the end of the case. That Yinusa of a man who took that girl from Bayelsa has a lot of people like him, who are looking for young girls to prey on and elope with.
“Won’t it be right, if he is used as a deterrent to others who might be contemplating such act? Please, raise the hastag #YinusaMustBeArrestedAndProsecuted.”
Several other Nigerians also called for the prosecution of those involved.
A twitter user, Yomi, who tweets via the handle @akintonmide, said, “This cannot be let off.”
Another user, Yemi, tweeting via @ScarTissue101 said, “Ese isn’t really free till Yinusa is made to face the law for his crimes.”
Prominent legal practitioners also called for the prosecution of Yinusa.
The lawyers wanted the police to prosecute Yinusa for abduction and rape.
They also urged the police to arrest and prosecute others mentioned in the abduction mess and policemen involved in the lackadaisical handling of the case.
Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Mr. Femi Falana and Sebastine Hon, told one of our correspondents on Monday that the abductor of the girl and those who helped him had committed a criminal offence.
They called on the police and the governments of Bayelsa and Kano states to prosecute the culprits.
Falana said regardless of the rescue of the girl, Yinusa and his helpers should be prosecuted by the Bayelsa State Government.
Falana said, “I have just got the assurance of the IGP, Mr. Solomon Arase, that Ese has been freed and will be released to her parents tomorrow (Tuesday).
“While thanking The PUNCH newspaper for campaigning for the release of Ese, and the police authorities for ensuring the release of the girl, the matter should be pursued to a logical conclusion.
“The abductor and his helpers should be arrested and prosecuted to serve as a lesson to others. We call on the Bayelsa State Government to file charges against the suspects without any further delay.”
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Felix Fagbohungbe, said what Yinusa did was criminal and condemnable and called for his prosecution according to the law.
Fagbohungbe said, “It is a criminal act and Yinusa should be prosecuted. The law of the land is very clear on that. In fact, the young girl is not a Muslim in the first place; so, she cannot be affected by any provision of the Quran. And even at that, a 13-year-old girl, who is supposed to be in school, how can she give consent, when we know that the age of maturity is 21, and the voting age is 18? So, this is a criminal act.”
She is a minor
A Lagos-based lawyer, Mr. Wahab Shittu, also called for Yinusa’s arraignment for abduction, stressing that Ese, being a minor, could not give a valid consent to marriage.
Shittu said, “She is still a minor. If you look at the provisions of our Constitution, the age to vote starts from 18 years. The implication is that the Constitution envisages that you do not attain adulthood until you reach the age of 18. The girl is a minor.
“He (Yinusa) took away the girl from the custody of her parents without their consent outside the jurisdiction of the state and even without the consent of the girl, expressed or implied; so the man should be arraigned for abduction.”
Another Lagos-based lawyer, Mr. Jiti Ogunye, said Yinusa acted contrary to the provisions of Section 361 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria and the analogous provisions of the Criminal Code, Law of Bayelsa State and should as such be prosecuted.
According to Ogunye, the charges against Yinusa will also include rape as he was likely to have slept with the girl.
Ogunye said, “Section 361 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria and the analogous provisions of the Criminal Code, Law of Bayelsa State, define the offence of abduction and provide that ‘any person, who with the intent to marry or carnally know a female of any age, or cause her to be married, or carnally known by any other person, takes her away or detains her against her will, is guilty of a felony and is liable to imprisonment for seven years. And of course, it can be imagined or assumed that the offence of rape would have been committed against the young girl. The punishment for rape, under sections 537 and 358 of the same Criminal Code Act, is life imprisonment.
“The abductor and his accomplices should be prosecuted in Bayelsa State. That is where the crime originated.”
Mr. Emeka Ngige, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, said the Bayelsa State Governor, Siriake Dickson, should also be held accountable for the incident.
He said, “The Bayelsa State Governor should tell the public why he would allow such a thing to happen in his domain. All the police personnel, who failed in their duties of rescuing the girl, including the Inspector-General of Police, should be appropriately sanctioned.”
Human rights lawyer, Festus Keyamo, said Ese could not make a decision for herself until she reached the age of 21.
He said, “It is worrisome that the girl was taken away without the consent of her parents. Any girl that is under the age of 21, no matter the religion involved, should not be married off without the consent of her parents. If anyone is saying it is tradition, then that tradition is repugnant to natural justice, equity and good conscience and should be rejected.
“In law, 21 is the age of maturity and consent, while 18 is the voting age. To sign a contract or enter into any other agreement, you must be 21.”
A Lagos-based lawyer, Mr. Yemi Omodele, said Ese’s parents had a valid cause of action and urged them to approach a high court in Bayelsa State to enforce their daughter’s rights.
“If it is true that the age is 14, the parents have a legal right to approach the appropriate court of law within the southern region of the country, particularly in Bayelsa. They can approach the state high court in Bayelsa to protect the girl’s rights,” he said.
Ahmed Adetola-Kazeem, another counsel, said the forced marriage of Ese was wrong both from the Islamic religious point of view and the constitution.
He advised her parents to sue Yinusa and the police.
Adetola-Kazeem said, “Quran 4:25 states that a man can only marry a lady with the permission of the parents. So, the step he (Yinusa) has taken is a very wrong step. Secondly, the Quran also says that there is no compulsion in religion, so, you can’t force your religion on someone else.
“The parents of the girl should sue Yinusa and join the police or whichever law enforcement agency that is involved or complicit.”
The Executive Director of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, Adetokunbo Mumuni, said any supposed consent given by a person below the age of 18 years was invalid in the face of the Nigerian law and urged the parents to seek redress in court.
Mumuni said, “The law does not reckon with a consent given by an underage person. For a person to consent, he must be 18 years and above. As far as Nigeria is concerned, the lowest age of maturity in terms of contract and consent is 18 years. In the law of contract, a person below the age of 18 is still regarded as a minor; under that age you cannot enter into a contractual agreement and marriage is a contract.”
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Gowdwin Obla, said the excuse of elopement was not tenable and would not shield Yinusa from being prosecuted.
Obla said, “Elopement at what age? Can a girl who cannot give consent for marriage give consent to elope? It is wrong. Even if the girl elopes with him, there are enough public outcries to make any reasonable person return the girl to her parents. The man did not mitigate the extent of his criminality and sadly, it looks like he has some support from governmental institutions. It is not a matter to be negotiated.
“It is a case of what is called statutory rape because the girl is below the age of 18. She cannot give consent for sexual relationship. That is statutory rape.”
As to whether the excuse of elopement would prevent Yinusa from being prosecuted, Obla said, “No, it is not an excuse. In fact, he could have mitigated his punishment by promptly returning the girl when he became aware of her true age. But he did not; he persisted in his criminality.”
Blame the police, not me
The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, has described the abduction of 14-year-old Ese Oruru from Bayelsa State by one of his subjects as an embarrassment.
Sanusi spoke on Monday after a meeting with members of his council over the issue.
He explained that he had received two calls from people in far away South Africa on Monday over the matter.
The emir further explained that when the matter was first brought to his attention in September 2015, he ordered her immediate return to her parents after it was established that she was underage.
He, however, expressed surprise that the matter still lingered months after he gave the instruction.
Sanusi said, “I ordered her return since September 2015, through the Office of the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 1.
“But to my surprise, the issue was still with the Sharia Commission, Hisbah (religious police) and the Police.
“The matter is worrisome, to the extent that two people phoned me in the morning today from South Africa over the matter. I told them clearly that I had directed her return since the last six months.
“I can also remember that I ordered the district head of Kura, the Sharia Commission and Hisbah, to investigate the allegation she (Ese) raised that her mother wanted to kill her.
“They confirmed to me that the allegation raised by Ese was true. I requested police intervention just to get her a cover to take her back home.
“I think it was the police authorities that caused the delay. I have done my best for her and even directed for action. It’s unfortunate that the police delayed this matter which has embarrassed us.
“Ese is underage and she can’t be married off as an underage girl. Every Muslim also knows that marriage can’t be without guidance. She must be taken back to her parents; she can only marry when she reaches the age of 18.”
The Emir further said, “It is un-Islamic for someone to marry a lady without guidance. This abduction of Ese by my subject to Kano is bad because it will cause disunity among our people.”
Sanusi reiterated his directive to the Sharia Commission to immediately return the girl to her family, adding that “this issue is something that is unbecoming among our people”.
