From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Amnesty International (AI) has written to the Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamilla, to comply with its resolution by commencing public hearing on the rape and death of 14-year-old boarding student of Premiere Academy Lugbe, Abuja, Keren-Happuch Akpagher.
This is coming 223 days after the House failed to commence investigative public hearing into the incident.
In the letter signed by Country Director, Amnesty International, Osai Ojigho, the human rights organisation, recalled that following a motion moved by Mark Gbilah, the House of Representatives, had on December 7, 2021 resolved to conduct investigative public hearing of Premiere Academy with a view to uncovering the circumstances which led to the rape and death of its 14 year old student.
AI regretted that eight months after this resolution, which was saluted by members of the civil society, the lawmakers have failed to honour their own resolutions.
“Amnesty International is deeply concerned that one year after her death, families and friends are yet to get justice; the perpetrator and all those suspected of complicity in the cover-up of the heinous crime remain neither prosecuted nor punished.
“Amnesty International is urging the House of Representations to guarantee compliance with the resolution that it passed on 7 December 2021 through ensuring that an immediate, impartial, effective and independent investigation is initiated on Keren’s death and allegations of harassment and threat to the life of Keren’s family and Lemmy Ughegbe. All those found culpable must be prosecuted in fair trials and punished with no recourse to the death penalty.