A 20-year-old housewife and resident of Bauchi, Lubabatu Yusuf Samaila, has lamented the detention of her husband after filing a rape complaint against a Deputy Immigration Superintendent, Sani Muazu, who happens to be her husband’s benefactor.
Recounting the incident, which occurred on December 9, 2023, she detailed how Sani Saleh Muazu allegedly assaulted her in her home, disregarding her plea for him to stop the act.
According to the victim, despite her resistance, Muazu allegedly proceeded to assault her in front of her traumatised children.
Her words: “On December, 9, 2023, at about 3 o’clock in the afternoon, Sani Saleh Muazu came to my house and started hugging me, touching my breasts.
“I begged him to stop it because of my small children but he threatened me, that he was stronger than me so I should just cooperate, moreover he was the one taking care of my family.
“I kept pleading with him to stop as my children were watching as I struggled to free myself from his grip and run away but he kicked me with his leg and I fell down.
“He slapped me and I started crying.
“My seven-year-old son who had a fractured leg and couldn’t walk crawled into the room on his buttocks from outside and saw what was happening and started crying, begging him to stop.
“Muazu raised his hand and hit me on the chest repeatedly as my sons cried, saying don’t kill our mother.
“He then pinned me to the ground with his leg. I couldn’t struggle again, climbed me and started having intercourse with me in front of my children.
“My husband heard my children crying and he rushed inside the room and met Mu’azu on top of me and he held him up and started shouting so this is what you are doing to my wife? This has been your intention of bringing us to Bauchi?
“Mu’azu stood up and slapped my husband hard and they started wrestling.
“I was weak, I couldn’t stand up; I was just lying on the bed crying.
“They kept wrestling until they got outside and he ran away.
“Up till now as I speak with you I am still feeling the pain.”
The victim expressed frustration over the lack of police investigation into her alleged rape, revealing that instead, they arrested and detained her husband for purportedly defaming the suspect.
The victim in a petition is seeking the intervention of Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, regarding her rape complaint against Deputy Immigration Superintendent.
Muhammed Alkassim, the founder of African Child Development and Human Rights Protection, who issued the petition on her behalf, while addressing journalists at a press briefing on Friday criticised the Commissioner, Bauchi State Police Command for neglecting the investigation of the alleged rape, asserting that Lubabatu is in desperate need of help and justice.
Alkassim accused the police of deviating from their primary duty, citing sections 1 and 2 of the newly established Police Act.
He disclosed that the organisation’s petition, submitted on December 22, 2023, has remained unaddressed by the CP for almost three weeks.
He revealed that on the day of submitting the petition, the suspect was promptly arrested but released unconditionally within 24 hours, though facing serious charges.
He therefore called for the immediate re-arrest of the suspect on behalf of the victim, declaring the organisation’s commitment to pursuing justice.
However, the Bauchi State Police Command countered the civil society organisation’s claims.
Its Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, in an interview with journalists stated that the CP had directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Criminal Investigation Department to investigate the case.
Wakil confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and assured the public that the outcome will be disclosed.
Regarding the arrest of the victim’s husband, Wakil clarified that he was charged with criminal defamation, aiding and abetting offences, including kidnapping.
He said the charges stemmed from a petition filed against Yusuf Samaila by Nazir Umar and Co chambers on behalf of their client, Sani Saleh Muazu, which prompted the arrest of Lubabatu’s husband based on the allegations raised by the complainant.
● Report by The Nation.
