Kogi: Scandal Rocks Govt Over Rape Allegation Against Commissioner; Bello Sets Up Panel

By Akinwale Kasali

A Commissioner on Kogi State Government is enmeshed in a scandal that will make or mar Governor Yahaya Bello’s Government.

Bello’s Commissioner for Water Resources, Abdumumini Fangs, has been accused of assault and rape by a young lady.

Raking up the scandal is Elizabeth Oyeniyi who not only alleged that Commissioner assaulted her, she insisted that HE took her to a hotel where he had carnal knowledge  of her against her will. Meaning: She was allegedly raped by Commissioner Santa.

A scandalised Governor  Yahaya Bello, has, therefore, set up a panel to urgently investigate the allegations against Danga.

Oyeniyi had accused the commissioner of assaulting and raping her over her Facebook post on March 29, 2020, where she  alleged that Danga was not taking care of his sibling, who happens to be Oyeniyi’s friend.

The post infuriated Denga who Oyeniyi allegedly said ordered his boys to hunt for her.

Oyeniyi was said to have been apprehended by Denga’s boys. Brought before him, she alleged, the Commissioner ordered his boys to beat her black and blue. She was also stripped naked.

Thereafter, she said, she was ordered  to apologise to the commissioner, along with her friend, the Commissioner’s half-sister.

The 23-year-old Oyeniyi added that the commissioner then took her to a hotel and raped her all night.

Recounting her ordeal, She said, “I left Abuja for Okene to stay with my friend because of the spread of the COVID-19, and on getting there, she explained to me that the commissioner, who is her step-brother, had not been taking care of her.

“I saw a post made by a local comedian showing the commissioner distributing foodstuffs to people, and I made a post that charity should begin at home and that the commissioner should take care of his household before taking care of outsiders.

“The comedian saw the post and screenshot it, after insulting me in the comment section, for making that kind of post.

“An hour later, some guys came to my friend’s house to pick us up on the instructions of the commissioner and they took us to Lokoja.

“On getting to Lokoja, I was beaten up by the commissioner and his boys; I was asked to strip naked and a video was made and my friend and I were made to apologise under duress to his fans and him that what I posted about him was wrong. He later took me to a hotel for the night and forcefully had sex with me.

“I have been living in fear of what they might do to me, because they threatened to pour acid on me and take my life. The commissioner is threatening me to come out and drop the case. I want justice to be served, because he treated me like an animal and said nobody would fight for me.”

The allegation has set the mainstream and social media on fire, forcing Governor Bello to swing into action, ordering an accelerated investigation into the case.

The state Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, in a statement said that the governor was shocked over the incident and has ordered a full-scale investigation into the matter.

The statement read in part, “The attention of the Kogi State Government has been drawn to the allegations of assault, battery and other serious crimes levelled against Abdumumini Danga, who is a serving commissioner in Kogi State.

“It was alleged that he was involved in the alleged abduction and assault of a woman, which allegedly occurred in Lokoja recently.

“Governor Yahaya Bello, who is an avowed advocate of the fundamental rights of Nigerian citizens, and especially within the boundaries of our dear state, is shocked by these accusations.

“The governor hereby assures the accuser and the accused as well as the general public that the whole truth will be uncovered and justice served as appropriate.

“The Kogi State Government reaffirms its unalloyed commitment to the protection of everyone from all forms of oppression and will not tolerate violence against women or children under any form or guise.

“We give our word that if these allegations are proven, everyone found culpable will be brought to justice.”

At the time of writing this, Commissioner Santa has not made any statement, but Miss Oyeniyi’s allegations have not only outraged the public, Civil Society and Gender-based groups have taken the case up on her behalf.