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ABUJA, Nigeria - Felicia Ogbonna, a 21-year-old Nigerian woman, is calling for government action and justice in relation to an alleged series of sexual assaults she faced at the hands of a Lagos businessman, Emeka Uyalemuo.
At a news conference held by her lawyer, Martin Agba, in Abuja on Friday, the victim accused the suspect of repeatedly raping her, even with his wife's knowledge.
While sharing her story through her attorney, she revealed that the abuse commenced in 2021 when she was just 17 and residing with the Uyalemuo family in Lagos.
Felicia claimed that Uyalemuo's wife, Ngozi Uyalemuo, who is also her cousin, not only failed to protect her but allegedly encouraged the abuse and even filmed her to further jeopardize her situation.
Felicia shared, "My name is Felicia Ogbonna. It all began in 2021 in Lagos while I was living with my aunt and cousin. Emeka Uyalemuo, also known as Dallas, started raping me repeatedly. My aunt actually led me into it by telling me she wanted to set a trap for her husband to determine if he truly loved her.
She urged me to engage in various acts to catch her husband. When I reported what her husband did, she demanded proof and told me to set another trap for him again. Instead of helping me, my aunt pushed me toward her husband. She even provided me with waist beads from her husband for making explicit videos of him."
The victim recounted a traumatic experience where, despite informing Uyalemuo that she was sick and on her period, she was still coerced into going to her husband. "I couldn't endure it any longer. Eventually, I found a way to escape from the house," she stated.
After her escape, she alleged that Uyalemuo and his brother-in-law, Ifeanyi Njoku, began a campaign of intimidation and blackmail against her family. She appealed to the Federal Government and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to intervene and deliver justice.
Her lawyer emphasized that this case represents a significant violation of human rights and urged for prompt action from law enforcement and relevant governmental bodies.
He asserted that this is a clear instance of violence against women and the exploitation of a vulnerable young girl, with the accused leveraging his power and influence to silence the matter.
The involvement of the suspect’s wife in the abuse adds to the gravity of the situation.
He mentioned that the case was reported to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in Lagos and the police, yet no significant actions were undertaken. "This man continues his business as though nothing transpired, while the survivor endures fear and trauma," he noted.
He called upon the Lagos State Government, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, and international NGOs to intervene, ensure that justice is achieved, and offer rehabilitation for the young woman.
Despite the initial report to the Lagos State command of NAPTIP, a complaint was also filed at the NAPTIP Headquarters in Abuja, where the agency assured they would monitor the case.
NAPTIP’s Director of the Violence Against Persons and Prohibition (VAPP) Act, Tolu Odugbesan, pledged during the victim's interrogation that the agency would strive to ensure justice is attained.
