Alleged Rape: Outrage Over Police Release Of Kogi Commissioner, Accusing Fingers Point At Gov Bello

By Akinwale Kasali

There is outrage across Gender Equality Groups and Social Media Users following the release of Kogi State Commissioner for Water Resources, Abdulmumini Denga, by the Nigeria Police in Abuja, over allegations of rape and assault on Elizabeth Oyeniyi, a beauty queen, three months ago.

Allegations are rife that the Police Force had released Denga due to pressure from Governor Yahaya Bello,  who was obviously  embarrassed by the sordid allegations of rape and assault against his Commissioner.

But the NPF has debunked the reports.

Police Headquarters spokesperson, DSP Frank Mba, debunked the reports that the commissioner was released on Tuesday due to pressure from the Kogi state governor, Yahaya Bello.

Oyeniyi took to her Facebook page on March 29, 2020 to accuse Danga of assault and rape.

The rape allegedly occurred after Oyeniyi  in a Facebook book  asked the Commissioner to extend help to his family whom she claimed were suffering after the commissioner abandoned them.

Reports revealed that Danga was not pleased with the Facebook post and ordered his boys to look for Oyeniyi and beat her up.

The lady noted that after she was attacked by the boys sent by the Commissioner, she was forced to strip naked and apologise to the commissioner.

Stressing further on the allegations levelled against the Police, Mba noted that Danga was interrogated extensively and granted bail, on Wednesday.

He added that investigation into the matter was ongoing and that further police action would be determined by the outcome of the investigation.

He said, “The Commissioner was with us yesterday (Tuesday) and he was extensively interrogated and his statement was duly obtained under caution.”

“The interrogation lasted nearly five hours and he was subsequently granted bail; the investigation is still ongoing; it is an active investigation.”

Speaking on the claim that the Commissioner was released because of pressure from the governor, Mba said, “That is purely speculative and I do not want to speak on speculation. The police are conducting an investigation and the police action will not be determined by any primordial sentiment, but will be determined by the outcome of our finding.”