Four months after Abdulrahman Habeebulah raped a 16-year-old girl attending his Quranic school in Ede community, the rape suspect has been re-arrested by the police in which the case was re-opened.
WITHIN NIGERIA learnt that the trial was initially stalled after the suspect claimed the victim was his wife and the rape allegation was dismissed without any compensation for the victim. The family of the suspect opted for an out-of-court settlement.
It was further learnt that he was also not able to provide evidence of the marriage which was debunked by the girl and her family.
According to PREMIUM TIMES reports, elder brother of the victim, Muideen Oloyede confirmed that the case was re-opened and transferred to the state criminal investigation department in Osogbo after his family was summoned by the police.
“The police said they got a signal when we went there last week. Although they did not show us the signal, we were told it was owing to a series of petitions the IGP got,” he said.
“I’ve spent a lot on the case till the point that I already gave up. Since the family had earlier opted for a settlement, I was disappointed and handed over everything to God.”
It was gathered that Mr Abdulrahman was re-arrested on Thursday November 21, following a petition written by a human rights group, RULAAC.
Nigeria police spokesperson, Frank Mba said the group had written them demanding the re-arrest and prosecution of the Islamic cleric for rape.
“Nwanguma is really following up that case,” Mr Mba Anti-trafficking agency, NAPTIP is also conducting its investigation on the case.