International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, and Girls’ Power Initiative, GPI, have called on the authorities in Cross River State to ensure justice for a 19-year-old girl allegedly raped by a Cross River State former legislator, Patrick Uguge.The suspect, who represented Ogoja state constituency between 2007 to 2015, allegedly committed the crime at a hotel in Ogoja on April 21, 2023.However, it was alleged that following pressures on the police, the suspect has been freed.
President of FIDA in Cross River State, Ann Alorye Awah has insisted that the suspect should be made to face the law, maintaining that he is not above the law. Also reacting, Head of Programmes at GPI, Mrs Ndodeye Bassey Obongha, prayed that the victim should get justice. “It’s utterly shameful that women and girls are often sexually abused by those who should protect them; yet families and friends of perpetrators will shield such barbaric evil and rather play politics with it.