BY AGNES NWORIE, ABAKALIKI
A lecturer at the Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike Ikwo, Ebonyi State, Felix Anyaegunam, is currently in police custody over the alleged rape of a primary 5 pupil.
The victim (names withheld), a pupil of Democracy Estate Primary School, is the daughter of the gateman to the professor of geophysics.
It was gathered that the little girl reported the alleged sexual assault by the lecturer to her class teacher who, in turn, made it known to a human rights organization that lodged a formal complaint to the police.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Ebonyi State, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Odah Loveth, confirmed the arrest in an interview, saying that the Commissioner of Police, Aliyu Garba, had ordered a discreet investigation into the matter.
The PPRO said that “The suspect of the alleged case of rape is in police custody as the CP orders discreet investigation into the matter while awaiting the medical screening/report of the victim.”
Oko Nweke, chairman, Human Rights Defenders, gave an insight into the allegation, saying, “We led the police to arrest a university professor for allegedly raping/defiling a 12-year-old-girl of primary five.
“An alleged habitual child violator, Felix Anyaegbunam, is a professor of Geophysics working with Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike Ikwo. He is from Anambra State.
“Few days ago, a whistleblower brought a report against the professor leading to his arrest and detention. He is being accused of constant sexual abuse of a 12-year-old daughter of their gateman. The victim is from Ezza North LGA of Ebonyi State. However, she has been rescued and currently receiving medical examination/attention.”
In an interview, the victim said, “I was living in the village with my mother. My daddy brought me to live with Professor in Abakaliki. Since June this year, the Prof. has been disturbing me. He always comes into my room to be doing what I don’t like. One day, around 2 am, I ran to my father at the security house and told him that Prof. was pressing my breast. My father told me to go back that he will talk with him in the morning.
“Sometimes, I would wake up and see myself naked. The other day, somebody was touching me at midnight. I woke up, put on the light and saw Prof lying on my bed naked. He tried to touch me but I slapped him and pushed him out of my room. I was crying. One day, I woke up and my bed was soaked with blood. I didn’t know what happened.
“I told my father in the morning but he didn’t do anything. He used to tell me that if I leave Prof’s house, who would pay my school fees? That was how the Prof continued to disturb me until I told my aunty in the school because I don’t like the nonsense that Prof is doing.”
The Point gathered that the lecturer, in 2017, had a similar case with the gateman’s sister-in-law who was working with him as a house help, resulting in pregnancy.
Nweke said, “We can assure you that the professor will not get away with it as usual. Justice is already waiting and will surely be served accordingly so as to serve as a warning to all his likes. We count on the police for their cooperation.”
