Anthony Iwuoma
The wife of Emmanuel Udom, Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Dr. Martha Emmanuel, has said seven fathers in the state are in police cell awaiting trial for allegedly defiling their own daughters.
The First Lady added that the arrests were facilitated by the Family Empowerment Youth Reorientation Path-initiative FEYReP, which she founded.
She made the disclosure in her office during an interaction with select journalists in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital.
Emmanuel said she was troubled by cases of sodomy in the state. She vowed that her organisation shall ensure that the perpetrators receive their due punishment s if found guilty.
According to her, FEYRep is ollaborating with the judiciary, security agencies and the International Federation of Female Lawyers, FIDA, adding that her staff had been mandated to post on the Internet the identities of rape convicts in the state for ‘shaming purpose’ to serve as a deterrence to intending rapists.
“As I speak we have about seven fathers in the police cell awaiting trial for defiling their daughters. These issues trouble my heart a lot and I can assure you that Justice must be done,” she said.
“FEYReP is in partnership with the judiciary, police and FIDA. You see? Perpetrators cannot go scot-free. Anytime the cases that involve us would be tried in the court, we must be present. That is to tell you how serious it is. The judge will also know that we are very serious about these.”