A human rights activist, Mr Victor Ojei has petitioned the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command Olufemi Abaniwonda, demanding for the immediate investigation and prosecution of Mr Celestine and his sons for kidnapping, unlawful detention, assault, and attempted murder in line with the provisions of Nigerian Criminal Law and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Laws.
The petition, copied the Attorney General, Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Delta State and the State Coordinator, National Human Rights Commission, Asaba, Delta State, called for justice for Onyeme Samuel who had been subjected to inhumane treatment by his friend’s father.
17-year-old Onyeme was allegedly beaten and locked inside a dog cage by his female classmate’s father and two brothers.
It was gathered that the incident happened when he visited Anastasia Celstine in her residence around 6:pm on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
Report had it that the victim had been in a discussion with his school mate Miss Celstine outside their school gate when the father had assaulted the minor and locked him up in their dog cage.
According to the victim’s mother, Mrs Onyeme narration to Punch on Monday: “My son, Samuel, a 17-year-old Senior Secondary student of Redeemers International High School, Asaba, Delta State, on Sunday, visited his classmate, Anastasia Celestine, at her residence after she invited him.
“My son said they were having a discussion outside the house of Mr Celestine when he was brutally assaulted by her father and his two sons.
“They attacked him on the street, dragged him into their compound, and inflicted severe physical injuries on him. You see his head, he said they used wooden planks and locked him inside a dog cage.
“During the assault, they confiscated his mobile phone and called me (mother) deceiving me into coming to the scene. Upon my arrival, I was deprived of seeing him for two hours.” She stated
She further revealed that her daughter, Jessica, who was outside attempting to seek help, was also subjected to assault by members of the Celestine family when she tried to re-enter the compound.
“The situation escalated when Ben, the other of my sons, who is the elder brother to Samuel, contacted a family friend, who then reached out to a human rights organisation before they mobilised police officers to rescue Samuel from the dog cage around 10:00 pm that night.
The human right activist confirmed the story stating that: “One Onyeme Ben contacted a family friend, who then reached out to our organisation. Following our report to the Delta State Police, officers were mobilised, and Master Onyeme Samuel was rescued from the dog cage around 10:00 pm that night.
“Based on the above facts, Mr Celestine and his sons have committed criminal offences which include unlawful detention of Mrs. Onyeme Onome for two hours against her will, and the forcible confinement of Master Onyeme Samuel in a dog cage from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm.which contravenes Section 364 of the Criminal Code Act
“The brutal assault on Master Onyeme Samuel using wooden planks, resulting in multiple injuries and psychological trauma, is a violation of Section 355 of the Criminal Code Act.”
“Attempted murder; threats to pour fuel and set Master Onyeme Samuel ablaze amount to attempted murder under Section 320 of the Criminal Code Act.”
It was learnt that the victim, Samuel, is currently receiving treatment at the Asaba Specialist Hospital as a result of physical injuries and psychological suffered during the incident.
By Adeoye Olorunseun Elizabet
adeoye.o@thesubstancenews.com
info@thesubstancenews.com
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