The trending topic over the past few days has been Sugabelly’s encounter with rape, victimization, violence and molestation. The narrative she has woven from her dark encounters during a relationship with Mustapha Audu, the son of the recently deceased ex-Governor of Kogi, Abubakar Audu have resulted in an outpouring of love and support from Nigerians.
Only recently former minister and human rights activist, Oby Ezekwesili took to Twitter to lend her voice to the cause of the 26 year old blogger and creative designer’s horrific experience.
In her latest blog post ‘Surviving Mustapha Audu and His Rape Brigade’ released today, Sugabelly described more incidents where a violent and depraved gang of sexual molesters allegedly led by Audu Jnr and staffed by his relatives and close friends took turns in dehumanizing her in palatial mansions and 5 star hotels in Asokoro, Abuja. She posted photos of the accused perpetrators online. Some of which included wedding photos.
Appalled by the behaviour of her alleged attackers and saddened by her mental degradation as a result of the experience, well meaning Nigerians took to the comments section of her blog post to express their love and support.
Here are a few of the positive comments:
Its hard not to feel the pain or the trauma you are going thru. Is there anything I can do to help? *no pity party please* just being there wanting to help. Cheers and please live and be strong. – Ike
I just want to give you a hug and tell you everything will be fine but that won’t do…they’ll just be hollow words compared to what you’ve been through. You are strong and brave and intelligent and very pretty…don’t let the actions of animals ever let you doubt yourself. It does get better you know…coming out with it as open as it is now is a big step that will help in your ultimate recovery. Oh they will get what is coming to them and you will have your day of victory…just hang in there empress sugabelly and continue being the strong artistic powerful woman you are. You are not alone and you will be fine. I wish I could say more or at least give you a hug and a smile…but hey accept my virtual hug…and have you a beautiful day. – Anon
I just want to give you a hug and tell you everything will be fine but that won’t do…they’ll just be hollow words compared to what you’ve been through. You are strong and brave and intelligent and very pretty…don’t let the actions of animals ever let you doubt yourself. It does get better you know…coming out with it as open as it is now is a big step that will help in your ultimate recovery. Oh they will get what is coming to them and you will have your day of victory…just hang in there empress sugabelly and continue being the strong artistic powerful woman you are. You are not alone and you will be fine. I wish I could say more or at least give you a hug and a smile…but hey accept my virtual hug…and have you a beautiful day. – Anon
Girl *hugs* you’ll be fine. I can reassure you that. Keep giving yourself a reason for living. Those monsters aren’t worth it. You are strong. A lot stronger than I ever gave you credit for. I’ll be here praying for you. Be good. – Ola
Hmmmmm!!! I admire your courage for coming out. These monsters should be punished and be made to pay for their crimes. Rape is crime! This is too much to bear alone. I stand with you Damsel. – Olusegun
Where to begin?
Our humanity is dead, seeing the comments on social media. And people say, speak up after rape: yet they are the ones who brand, name shame, victimize and trivialize your ordeal.
Am sorry you went through this orror. Am sorry the horror continued from people who should help you get through it. Worse still, am sorry that I belong to a generation such as this…
Can I help? – Eky Shirley
L, I have been reading sugabelly since 2007, since the Nsibidi scripts, since the odes to Bakura. I believe you.
I want you to know, you matter, you are important and we do not want to lose you. Do not let the monster win. Fight, stay on top of your medication and if something is not working, continue seeking help and the right cocktail. It does get better.
You have soooooo much talent, more talent on your little finger nail than all of the touch carriers on twitter.
You are a such beautiful girl.I am rooting for you, the world is not ready for the unleashing of your true, full potential.
Shake the world, make them notice. – Ashilomo
I cried reading this, I have for one always doubted some of your stories but when you talked about rape, I could relate because I was raped at three and I could only remember because the next seven years of my life after that I was continuously molested by men- cousins, family friends. fear, shame and anger never allowed me speak up, I almost stabbed my cousin the last night he tried to touch me, I was fucking ten years old. four years later, i was bold enough to speak to my priest about it. I decided to live there and then although I wasn’t brave enough to tell my story to my folks mainly because it would kill my parents to know this. I moved on even though it’s hard. It hurts sometimes when i realise my body count as an adult is very minimal compared to my body count when I was less than ten. One thing is certain Lota, you are a brave woman and thank u for bringing these people out. – Anon
I am beyond shocked and deeply ashamed as a male to read this. Words fail me and I can’t even begin to apologise to you because I won’t know where to start.
I saw d screen shots echecrates put on twitter so I’ve seen d real explicit core of this story.
It takes an incredible amount of courage to tell this story and I’m proud of you for doing that. I’ll be praying for you – Ariel
OMG, u went through all these and u re still strong. God must ve kept u for a purpose. May be to ensure nobody goes thru this wickedness again. I just hope parents, friends and siblings can learn from your story and be sensitive to the needsof their loves ones. Pls, yur healing ll be complete if u ensure they end up in jail not bcos of revenge but it is just proper. Sing a song for u by Ron Kenoly ‘I still ve joy, I still ve joy, after all i ve been through…………Listen and be blessed – Joshua Adegoke