Sacrilege: 14-year old girl allegedly raped in Palace

Operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Delta State Police Command have mounted a manhunt for one of the Princes in Idumuje-Ugboko community in Aniocha North Local Government Area (names withheld), for allegedly defiling a 14- year old Princess in the Palace.

The suspect, who is currently on the run, allegedly perpetrated the act, which was allegedly covered up by eminent
persons in the palace.

In addition, the persons who allegedly conspired to cover up the case, are now wanted by the police.

Police sources revealed that following a petition written by one Prince Walter Eziashi, alleging that the act was brought to the knowledge of members of the royal family, who concealed the act and took the girl to St. Joseph’s Hospital, Asaba for treatment, police have spread their dragnet to catch the principal culprit and others.

According to the source, one of the suspects arrested over complicity in the matter, confirmed that the matter was resolved within the royal family.

According to police sources, one of the suspects arrested so far (names withheld) told the police to their amazement that the 14-year old consented to the rape hence the matter was “settled” in the palace, adding that
“Police now suspect that Mbanefo and others have a case to answer for their complicity in attempts to cover the rape”.

The source told the police that the initial suspect, who was implicated in the conspiracy involving some princes and princesses, was fined four goats and other traditional items, to appease the gods and cleanse the palace. But
facts have emerged that the man who was fined is different from the suspect who committed the alleged crime.

The police source told our reporter that several attempts made to arrest all the suspects were resisted by armed youths in the palace, who threatened violence and to burn the palace van, adding that the only one suspect arrested so far was the outcome of reinforcement by the police.

“We are still looking for the suspects to answer charges of alleged group rape of the 14-year old girl”, the police source said.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Andrew Aniamaka, when contacted, confirmed that police were still investigating the case and making efforts to arrest the principal suspect, adding that police will inform the press of the outcome of the investigation.

Investigation revealed that none of the palace chiefs was willing to speak to journalists except one of them who did not want his name mentioned in the print who confirmed that the palace cannot truncate the investigation of the police, saying that the alleged sex scandal was unfortunate in the royal house