Global rights’ group, Amnesty International, has called on the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali-Baba, to investigate the alleged rape and death of Keren-Happuch Aondodoo Akpagher, a 14-year-old SS1 boarding student of Premiere Academy, Abuja.
The Director of the organization, Osai Ojigho, in a letter obtained by SaharaReporters on Tuesday in Abuja, called for a thorough an impartial investigation in order to bring the rapist to justice.
The letter reads: “I am writing on behalf of Amnesty International regarding the case of 14-year old Keren-Happuch Aondodoo Akpagher, a student of Premier Academy, Lugbe, Abuja, who was allegedly raped in her school and eventually died from complications resulting from the rape.
“We are deeply concerned by this report and urge the Nigeria Police to promptly, thoroughly, impartially, and effectively investigate this and bring those culpable to justice.
“Through its ratification of domestic, regional, and international human rights laws, Nigeria has obligations to ensure that women and girls can live a life free from violence. As a state party to the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, Nigeria undertakes to adopt and implement appropriate measures to ensure that women and girls are protected from all forms of violence, including sexual violence.
“Similarly, Section 34 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees that no person shall be subject to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment.
“Amnesty International is urging the Nigeria Police to ensure that: a prompt, impartial, effective and independent inquiry is initiated into Keren-Happuch’s case and those found culpable are prosecuted and punished (without recourse to the death penalty.”
The organisation also called for adequate protection of Vivien Akpagher, her family and human rights defenders involved in the case;
Other demands include; effective remedies including reparations and guarantees of non-repetition are provided to all affected persons.
