Akwa Ibom govt withdraws from investigating molestation scandal in Deeper life school
The Akwa Ibom State Government has withdrawn from the ongoing investigation process into the alleged molestation and sexual abuse of a student of Deeper life high school in the state, Don Davies.
Recall that the mother of the victim, Mrs Deborah Okezie had cried out on social media alleging that her son was starved by the school as well as molested and sexually abused by some senior students in the school.
Following the outcry, Governor Udom Emmanuel set up a committee headed by the Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Enobong Mbobo, to look into the allegations.
But one week after, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Comrade Ini EmemObong in a statement announced the state government’s decision to withdraw from the investigation saying that police should be allowed to carry out the investigations.
He explained that while investigations were ongoing, the Attorney General of the State notified the Commissioner for Education of the concurrent investigation of the same matter by the Police.
EmemObong said the Attorney General also revealed the interest of several International Organizations including the United Nations Special rapporteur on Human Trafficking, Mirabelle Center, FIDA Akwa Ibom, Sexual and Gender-based Violence Response Unit of the Ministry of Justice, Akwa Ibom State among others.
He added that it was, therefore, advisable for the Commissioner for Education to hands off the investigation and allow the Police, which is the proper government agency to handle allegations of crime, to take over.
The statement added, “the medical report from the private hospital where the child had been taken for examination and treatment by his parents has been received, while the child has been taken for further medical investigations at the Agape Sexual referral Center, with the consent of the parents and all interested parties.
“The State Government is committed to the revelation of the truth of the circumstance and is determined to prosecute anybody found culpable of any wrongdoing. At no time did the Commissioner for Education or any staff of the State Government, harass or intimidate the parent or the affected student, or anybody connected to the matter.
“We appeal to the public to exercise patience for a thorough investigation to be carried out by the Police and other relevant institutions on the matter. The State Government will upon receipt of the reports take necessary actions thereto.”
