A 60-year-old man identified as Obogo Adinya, has been arrested after being accused of r@ping a 5-year-old girl in Gakem Ward, Bekwarra Local Government Area of Cross River State.
A human rights lawyer and Principal Partner at Basic Rights Counsel Initiative of, James Ibor, confirmed the arrest of the suspect for alleged r@pe on Monday, November 24, 2025.
Meanwhile, the Acting Chairman of Bekwarra Local Government Area, Hon. Egbung, Odama Egbung, has ordered for a full scale of enquiry into the incident.
Agaji Adie Ntamu, the Chief Press Secretary to the chairman, in a statement, dismissed claims alleging that the clan head of the community only fined the culprit three goats and some crates of beer as settlement for def!ling a minor.
According to the statement, the suspect was being accused of molestation and not r@pe as widely circulated on social media.
“The Acting Chairman in a swift response ordered for an immediate investigation to ensure Justice is served and to avoid any possible breakdown of order within the affected community. The alleged victim’s parents were reached for their account of the incident, the clan head of Atibulum was also reached for his briefing for proper investigation,” the statement read.
“Preliminary investigations by men of the Nigerian Police and the SA, Peace and Security to the Chairman reports that contrary to the social media report of defilement and r@pe, the case at hand according to statements from all involved is actually a case of molestation. Reports from both the clan head and the victim’s parents corroborates this.
“According to the clan head, the report brought before me by the victim’s parents was that their daughter complained of being touched inappropriately by the older man whenever she was sent on errands to his compound. He added that the fines were customary requirements for defiling the land by molesting a minor which was to come with other punishments and a possible banishment from the community. The claims on social media that the fines were for settlement is false and very misleading.
“Similarly, the girl’s parents in a separate report said the suspect, Mr. Obogo Adinya was being accused of molestation of their child and not rape as widely circulated.
“They further explained that they became suspicious when the little girl unusually resisted being sent to the accused house, prompting them to become curious and concerned.
“When they got their daughter to explain her experience, she complained of being inappropriately touched by the older man, “putting his hands around her undies”. When asked if there was any penile penetration, the response was not affirmative.
“While further investigations are ongoing, the chairman has ensured the arrest of the suspect who is currently in police custody. He has also instructed the supervisor for health together with the two female councilors to visit the victim’s home and take her for medical examination and a proper therapy session as may be required.
“Hon. Egbung frowns at any form of molestation and assault on our girls, describing it as despicable evil that will not be condoned anywhere in Bekwarra under his watch. He reiterates his commitment to ensuring a safe Bekwarra for all, men and women, children and adults.
“He calls on social media reporters to be more professional and ethical in their quests to be the first to fly any news online. Noting that the possible damages caused by some inaccurate reports can be more destructive than the good we all desire.
“Social media should not be the first call for everything, especially when facts are not adequately verified. In any case, the local government is open to any information for prompt action.
“The continuous pollution of the cyberspace with inaccurate information about our place and people is not patriotism but a grave disservice to our common patrimony.”
