It is expected that one of the safest places to be is in a police station, so it comes as a shock when a woman alleged that she was gang raped while in Police custody. The Zone 5 Police Command, Benin, has demoted a police inspector, while another policeman, a station guard, was dismissed over the rape of one Mrs. Esse Ozegbe, who was thrown into the same cell with two men at the Abraka police station.
The station guard, whose name was not disclosed, was on duty at the time the crime was committed, while the inspector, Mrs. Erebi Akporunor, was demoted to the rank of Sergeant.
The punishment was the outcome of an orderly room trial of 11 police officers implicated in connection with the rape saga.
Ozegbe, who was arrested on February 26, 2013, following a quarrel with a neighbour, was said to have been detained along with some men at the Abraka Police station, Delta State, where two of them were said to have raped her in turns, while the policemen allegedly turned a deaf ear to her cries for help.
The two men, who allegedly raped Ozegbe, are said to be currently standing trial at a magistrate’s court in Abraka.
Meanwhile, Ozegbe through her counsel, Efe Ejomafuvwe, has instituted a suit at the Federal High Court, Warri, over the matter.
Ozegbe in the suit is claiming N750 million damages against the Nigeria Police. Hearing in the case was fixed for June 13.