ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Patrick Uguge, a former legislator in the Cross River State House of Assembly, has been arrested for alleged rape of wife’s niece.
It was gathered that the suspect allegedly committed the crime at a hotel in Ogoja on 21 April, 2023.
The detention of the ex-lawmaker was confirmed by the Commissioner of Police the State, Balarabe Sule.
The victim is said to be a 19-year-old girl who stays with the suspect’s wife.
A Human Rights lawyer, Basic Right Council Initiative (BRCI), James Ibor who decried the alarming rate of rape in the State, said that the incident is reported to have occurred 21 April, 2023.
The suspect represented Ogoja State Constituency between 2007 to 2015.
Barrister Ibor said: “The suspect alleged that the man raped her in a hotel at Ogoja.
“When the girl came to us, we had to verify and confirm her story. We put up a petition to the Police, who took the suspect into custody.
“Rape is a felony and the rate of sexual abuse is alarming. So we need to protect the female gender from predators.
“We are in touch with the girl’s parents, who have confirmed that the victim was still a virgin before the suspect raped her.”