Aid Worker Calls for Justice as Catechist Accused of Defiling Girl, Father Abandons Case in Abakaliki

An aid worker is urgently appealing to Nigerian authorities to intervene in the distressing situation of a four-year-old girl who is battling severe health complications. These issues reportedly stem from an alleged incident last year where a catechist from a Catholic cathedral s*xually assaulted her.

Ugama Steve, the concerned aid worker, revealed that the alleged assault took place when the girl was merely three years old. Currently, the child is suffering from an infection causing an unpleasant odor. He further claimed that significant pressure was put on the child's parents to discontinue the case following the catechist's initial arrest.

According to Ugama, the girl's biological father, who lived with his wife within the cathedral premises, allegedly dropped the legal proceedings and subsequently abandoned both his wife and daughter. He has since remarried and reportedly continues to reside with his new spouse at the same cathedral.

Ugama recounted a recent development: "Thursday last week the PRO of AEFUTHA called me about this case. She was brought back to the hospital by her mum because smelly pours were coming out of her virgina." He identified the alleged perpetrator as "the catchiest at St. Theresa Cathedral Abakaliki where they lived at the time of the incident."

He continued, confirming the medical findings: "I met with the doctor in charge of her case and he confirmed that she was defiled when she was first rushed to the hospital last year." Ugama emphasized that the child is still enduring the profound effects of the alleged act, which he stated is the cause of her current infection and smell.

"According to her mum, the catechist was arrested then and later released on bail," Ugama added. He also contacted the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) who handled the matter, who informed him that "they concluded the matter and forwarded to the office of the DPP for legal advice."

Ugama then spoke with the girl's father, who reportedly declared his lack of interest in pursuing the case. The father claimed the incident had caused marital problems, leading him to marry another woman. He remains employed as a driver at the cathedral with his new wife, while the mother and daughter were reportedly evicted from the cathedral.

Upon reaching out to the cathedral administrator, Ugama was told that "the woman couldn't establish that it was the catechist that defiled her daughter. According to him, it was the mum that did it to her daughter." The administrator further alleged that the mother is "very problematic and behaves as if she is mentally unstable."

Conversely, the mother asserted that immense pressure was exerted on both her and her husband to withdraw the case, as they were accused of "fighting the church." While her husband eventually yielded to this pressure, she steadfastly refused to drop the charges.

Ugama reported that "The doctor said the girl needs to be repaired, I don't know what that means. She is currently on antibiotics drugs." He has since informed the IPO of his intention "to reopen the case for further investigation." He noted that he "was unable to reach the catechist."

Furthermore, Ugama mentioned that "Her dad's young brother by xyz called me and said I should hands off the matter." He concluded his appeal with a powerful call to action: "Help me share this until we arrest him again."