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abujagirl
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Festus keyamo, Lagos lawyer and human rights activist has written a petition to the Comptroller General of Nigeria Prisons, over allegations of acts of sodomy taking place in Kuje Prison, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
In the petition dated Tuesday, Festus Keyamo complained that his client, Mr Charles Okah, brother of jailed Henry Okah, was almost raped by some prison officials on the pretext of conducting a search for banned substances in his anus.
The petition submitted by Festus Keyamo’s is titled “open complaint on the attempt to sodomize me Charles Okah by Mr Isah Musa (the chief clerk), Tanko Gokuje, (the assistant yard master) and three other wardens in kuje prisons, Abuja”, reads in part:
“Our client has briefed us that on July 3, 2013, at about 6.30 am, some Prison Warders, specifically Mr. Isah Musa (the Chief Clerk), Mr. Tanko Gokuje, (the Assistant Yard Master) and three (3) other Prison Warders (hereinafter referred to as the culprits) entered our client’s cell (No.1) and demanded to search his anus because they and claimed they had information that he was hiding “incriminating” materials therein. Before entering his cell, they made sure all other inmates were locked up in their various cells”.
“Having heard from other inmates in the past that this is a known pattern used by wardens to sodomize inmates, our client initially resisted the attempt, but was forced to succumb after much pressure and insistence by the culprits.
“However, having succumbed, to the utter shock and dismay of our client, he saw that Mr Isah Musa pulled off his clothes and sustained erection and attempted to carry out the acts of sodomy on him. To achieve this, our client was then held to the ground by Mr Tanko Gokuje and three other wardens. Our client had to intensify his struggle and resist to prevent the completion of the criminal act. Our client screamed for help and this was heard by other inmates.
Keyamo said although the report of the incident was made, the prison authorities led by DCP Felix Lawrence, pleaded with Okah not to formalise the complaint and urged him to “kill the report”.
While urging the Comptroller General of Prisons to investigate the allegation, Keyamo called for the application of “appropriate sanctions” on those found wanton in the case.
Charles Okah is currently standing trial before the Federal High Court, Abuja over alleged terrorist activities and has been in the custody of the Nigerian Prisons, Kuje, Abuja since 2010.
