The ongoing trial of the former security adviser to the governor of Bayelsa state accused of rape, Chief Perekeme Kpodo took an emotional turn as his 26 year old victim took to the stand to testify against the former government official.
The 26-year-old lady testified along with her uncle as well as the medical doctor, who examined her on June 9, a day after she was allegedly raped by the former security adviser who also happened to be her boss.
While testifying before the court, the 26 year old who works as a cashier in the hotel of the accused said Chief Kpodo had invited her to his office in the hotel around about 8pm; he proceeded to lock the doors and sexually assaulted her when she arrived.
She said further that the accused had threatened to arrest her with a security outfit founded by ex Bayelsa governor Timiprye Sylva (Famou Tangbe) telling her that he was the brains behind the outfit and could do anything he wished with them; he advised the victim to yield to his sexual advances for her own good.
The victim who also narrated that she had been the recipient of sexual advances from the former Bayelsa security adviser before the incident broke down in tears before the court, forcing the trial judge to suspend the hearing twice to enable her to regain composure.
In her own words;
“I was employed as a cashier by Kpodo, the owner of the hotel. Whenever I went to submit cash to him, he usually touched me. I did not like the way he used to touch me. So, I reported it to the employment agency that helped me secure the job, and they advised me to plead with him.
I talked to him that it was a sin and that I did not like the way he used to touch me any time I went to his office. After my protest, he stopped for some time.
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After some time, he started again. That fateful day, he locked the door and raped me. I shouted and also pleaded and he said he would not leave me until he was satisfied with me.
So, when he finished, he asked me to clean myself and to bring his food. He did not use a condom and I was injured. He removed my pair of trousers and I kept struggling with him until he finished.
I called my uncle who is a policeman and he came and took me home. The next day, we went to report the incident to the police and they gave me a medical report form which I took to a hospital.
The hospital conducted tests, including an HIV test on me and thereafter prescribed some drugs which I have been taking.”
At the resumed trial of the case, the trial judge, Justice E. Eradiri, also listened to the testimony of a medical practitioner, Dr. Ikenna Nwanna, who examined the victim after she was allegedly raped.
Chief Perekeme Kpodo was, arraigned on charges of rape and unlawful detention on July 31, at State High Court 7 in Yenagoa the capital of Bayelsa state.
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