- Silent the dismissed officer’s missing daughter’s whereabouts
- Edo State Minister of Justice pledges to step in
The Nigeria Police Force has insisted that the dismissal of policewoman, Edith Uduma, who reported the rape of a minor by her male colleague, followed due process even as the Edo State Ministry of Justice has promised to wade into the controversial dismissal.
The police position was communicated in a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Adejobi Muyiwa, on Wednesday.
“The Nigeria Police Force hereby reaffirms its justification for the dismissal of one Edith Uduma, a former police inspector, who was recently dismissed for her act of gross misconduct and complicity surrounding the alleged rape of a 17-year-old female suspect by one Abraham Uzuobo.”
The police noted that a thorough investigation was conducted on the development by the Edo State police command before the decision was reached.
The Police command at the headquarters in the statement did not however say if it independently investigated the case given the allegations of complicity levelled against the Edo State police command and attempt for foul play.
“It would be recalled that in a video that went viral on social media, where a Police Sergeant was alleged to have raped a female suspect in the station on October 7th 2024, former police Inspector Edith Uduma was the Charge Room Officer (CRO) on duty.”
“The video emerged online one week following the occurrence. A thorough investigation into the matter conducted by the Edo State Police Command uncovered that the Police Sergeant, identified as Sgt Abraham Uzuobo, had removed the victim from the cell and taken her to an unoccupied office, where he attempted to engage in sexual acts with her.”
The police again insisted that Edith did not report the incident to her superiors. Witnesses had negated the police claim including the station officer of Ibie Police station where Edith worked.
SaharaReporters was reliably informed that Edith reported the case to the station officer when it occurred but the police insist otherwise.
“During the act, Uduma had walked in and recorded the act.”
“However, instead of immediately making a documented entry on the matter in the Incident Record of the Station which was under her charge, and thereafter reporting the incident to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) for disciplinary actions to be initiated against the erring officer, she took advantage of the situation to enrich herself.”
“By calling her husband, Ibrahim Mohammed, who was also a Police Inspector, both of whom conspired to unlawfully demand the sum of One Million Naira (N1,000,000) from the Sergeant to assist him in concealing the matter.”
“However, the Sergeant offered only N45,000 in cash which they collected at that instance and after a few days, contacted the Sergeant to request the same sum of N1,000,000, but the Sergeant refused to comply.”
The police authorities stated that Edith only reported the case after failing to obtain N1 million from the alleged rapist Abraham.
“Dissatisfied by his refusal to follow through with the blackmail, they decided to report the erring officer to the DPO and also simultaneously share the video on social media.”
“Everyone culpable in this case has been sanctioned appropriately as there is no intention to impede justice. The erring Sergeant has been dismissed and prosecuted and is currently in prison custody as the trial progresses.”
“Inspector Edith Uduma was also dismissed for her role, while her complicit husband has been reduced to the rank of Sergeant.”
The police which failed to address the issue of the missing fourteen year-old daughter of the dismissed policewoman, instead said Edith had soiled the reputation of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun and the Police in its entirety by making statements regarding her innocence.
“However, it has come to the attention of the Force that following her dismissal, Mrs Edith has made numerous unfounded claims regarding her innocence and has sought to taint the reputation and integrity of the adjudicating authority, the Inspector-General of Police in person, and the entire Police Force.
“It is imperative to set the record straight and provide clear context regarding her actions and the decision to dismiss her from service.”
“The dismissal of former Police Inspector Edith Uduma was not only justified but necessary, based on thorough investigations that presented irrefutable evidence of her failure to follow standard incident report protocol to immediately document the incident”
“Attempt to conceal an offender for benefit, participation in extortion and manipulating the justice process for personal gain.” the statement read.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that Edith’s fourteen-year-old daughter has been missing for days after the Auchi area commander allegedly threatened the family.
Goodness Ibrahim had gone out to buy what the family would eat but never returned home till the time of this report.
Edith has continued to maintain her innocence noting that she is targeted for failing to “kill” the case as instructed by her station divisional police officer.
The Take-It-Back Movement had also petitioned the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General’s Office including the National Human Rights Commission office seeking a review of the case and the unjust dismissal of Edith.
Edith Cries Out for Justice
Edith lamented that if the Nigerian police authorities could cover up a rape case she reported and dismiss her for exposing the matter, how much more would have happened if the case involved innocent civilians.
Threatening to kill herself if she does not get justice, she lamented that if the Nigerian police authorities could cover up a rape case she reported and dismiss her for exposing the matter, how much more would have happened if the case involved innocent civilians.
Speaking in an interview with Punch Newspapers, she said: “What the Edo Command is saying is not what happened. They know I have no rank or support to fight back.”
According to her, the Force Headquarters in Abuja was still investigating the matter only for the Edo command to hurriedly dismiss her.
“I want justice. My dismissal is unjust,” she said tearfully.
Speaking on the detention of her husband and the reduction in his rank by the Police authorities, she said that her husband only brought food for her on the night of the incident.
“He (my husband) used to bring something for me to eat. He brought food that time to the station.”
Although witnesses who spoke to SaharaReporters absolved her of collecting money like police authorities said and also affirmed that she reported the incident to her higher-ups, unlike the claim of the police authorities, the police command in Edo has continued to insist that she is guilty.
