A 56-year-old Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Roni Local Government Area of Jigawa State Saleh Idris is now in trouble water for allegedly raping and impregnating his 14-year-old housemaid.
Penpushing reports that the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC) Jigawa State Command in a statement on Wednesday said the party chieftain was arrested on 4 October,2023 following a complaint by the victim’s brother.
The statement made available by the Defence spokesperson Adamu Shehu added that Idris was subsequently charged before the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Dutse, in relation to the case adding that laboratory test carried out on the teenager at the State Sexual Assault and Referral Centre (SARC) revealed that the victim was carrying a healthy pregnancy of about four months and two weeks.
‘The suspect has already been charged to court (CMC), while the investigation is ongoing on the other allegations levelled on the two earlier mentioned to ascertain their level of involvement in the case,” the agency said.
Penpushing further reports that action of the party chairman which he has been charged in court is said to be contrary to section 3 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act of Jigawa State and punishable under the same law.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC) in the statement gave some details of how the encounter between the suspect and the victim allegedly began, adding that the 14-year-old girl narrated that her first encounter with the accused was when he offered her a drink when his wife was not at home.
“According to the 14-year-old, her first encounter with the suspect was when he offered her a drink at the time his wife was not at home which made her lose consciousness and have carnal knowledge of her,” the statement said.
Penpushing also reports that the statement added that when the girl regained her consciousness, the suspect threatened her not to tell anyone or risk losing her monthly allowances, adding that the suspect kept the victim working in his house for seven months without paying her.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC) spokesperson in the statement said the ugly trend continued repeatedly without the victim telling anyone until pregnancy surfaced, adding that the case was reported at the agency Divisional office, Roni local government division after a failed agreement by the suspect to care for the pregnancy.
Penpushing reports that the agency imagemaker said backed and supported by the Jigawa Human Rights Network, the case was later transferred to the State Command on 11 October, 2023, and thereafter the suspect was arraigned in court.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC) in the statement said the suspect denied the allegations during interrogations, but claimed to having known the girl only as someone who only provides water to his house once in a while when there’s water scarcity in the area
“Upon interrogation, the suspect (Mr Idris) confessed to having known the girl only as someone who only provides water to his house once in a while when there’s water scarcity in the area and denied having carnal knowledge, impregnating the girl or holding her money. He says he used to pay her immediately after her services,” the agency stated.
The Jigawa State Chapter of the All-Progressives Congress (APC) in a letter by the Chairman, Aminu Sani has, however, suspended Idris over the allegations levelled against him, adding that the party’s preliminary investigations showed he had a case to answer, and he would therefore remain on suspension pending the final investigation of the case.
“Following the allegation of illegal intercourse against your housemaid, and the outcome of the preliminary investigation, by the state chapter of the party, we resolved that the act contravenes the provision of Article 21.2 of the APC Constitution 2022 (as amended),” the letter read in part.
“That (the party agreed) on the need for further investigation on the matter. Consequently, you are hereby suspended from the chairmanship of the party of Roni local government spending final report of investigation’, the letter added
Penpushing further reports that the Chief Magistrate Salisu Musa in his ruling ordered the remand of Idris in the correctional facility till 22 November over the alleged offence of rape and impregnating the innocent girl, to afford the agency more time to complete investigations.
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