No Justice: Sexual abuse victims left in the dark as perpetrators walk free

January 06, 2025

By Ayinde Adeleke

The recent escape of high-profile inmates, including convicted murderers and rapasts, has highlighted Nigeria’s alarming rate of impunity in sexual abuse cases.

The country’s justice system has failed to hold perpetrators accountable, allowing them to walk free and leaving victims without justice.

According to a report by the DOHS Foundation, the escape of convicted criminals is not an isolated incident.

In 2024, the foundation exposed the escape of sexual abusers from Kirikalli prison in Lagos.

This disturbing trend underscores the systemic failures that enable these crimes to continue.

One particularly disturbing case is that of Uchechukwu James, who was accused of raping a 12-year-old girl. Despite being in custody during his trial, James was released from prison by unknown persons.

He has since resumed his normal life, and there appears to be no justice in sight for the young victim.

The DOHS Foundation has written petitions to law enforcement agencies and warned market women to beware of James, but their efforts have been met with inaction.

This lack of accountability is a stark reminder of the impunity that pervades Nigeria’s justice system.

Another case that highlights this impunity is that of Augusta, whose murderer, Benjamin Best, remains at large.

Despite being apprehended in Sierra Leone, Best was allowed to escape due to a prison break while Nigerian authorities were attempting to extradite him.

These cases demonstrate the alarming rate at which sexual abuse and femicide continue to permeate Nigerian society.

The country’s justice system has failed to hold perpetrators accountable, allowing them to walk free and leaving victims without justice.

The DOHS Foundation is advocating for immediate action to address these systemic failures. They demand that the Nigerian Police and Prison officials take swift action to apprehend escaped convicts and ensure that justice is served.

The foundation is calling for greater accountability within the justice system. This includes ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable for their crimes and that victims receive the justice they deserve.

The Nigerian government must take immediate action to address the systemic failures that enable these crimes to continue. This includes providing greater support for victims of sexual abuse and ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable.

The DOHS Foundation’s report serves as a reminder of the need for urgent action to address the impunity that pervades Nigeria’s justice system.