Stephanie Linus has released a statement
addressing the rape allegations against her older
brother, Daniel Okereke, who was arrested for
allegedly raping a UNILAG student named Arinola
(read here ). Like any right thinking woman,
Stephanie is devastated by this. See her
statement below..
"Rape is Rape, Regardless of Who
the Face of the Accused is” - Stephanie
Linus
I am distraught and devastated to hear of
the recent allegation of rape brought
against a relative of
mine, Daniel Okereke (my brother).
While it is a very difficult time for me, and
my family; I feel the need to make clear my
position, lest there be any doubt.
Rape is
rape, regardless of who the face of the
accused is.
.
Indeed, the irony is not lost on me. I have spent
my lifelong career advocating and living my
conviction that women around the world should
be able to live free of violence, sexual
harassment or any form of abuse against their
persons. This conviction led me to be involved in
numerous initiatives combating violence against
women in several countries including the U.S,
Liberia and Sierra Leone.
The conviction also led me to place much of my
energy on my work with Vesico Vaginal Fistula
(VVF), a passion that dates back to my time at
the University of Calabar.
As a student, I heard a story about young girls
who had been forced into early marriage and
were suffering the negative and embarrassing
effects of VVF. The story stayed in my
consciousness and drove me, for years, to seek
ways to raise awareness on the
condition; leading to my work with a team of
dedicated doctors to carry out repair surgeries
for VVF victims across the country; and my self-
produced, soon to be released movie, ‘DRY.’
So, again, it is indeed heart breaking for me to
receive and deal with news alleging a family
member of mine is an alleged perpetrator of
sexual violence against a woman. I am
devastated.
This case is now in Nigeria’s criminal justice
system as the accused awaits arraignment. I
have also encouraged and assured the alleged
victim of my stance against rape and
applaud her for her bravery to upset the culture
of silence, in Nigeria; even as I accord deference
and patiently wait for the criminal justice system
to determine the guilt or innocence of
my brother.
For Nigerian press and blogs; I call on you to
please report this case in an ethical manner. I
am a married woman living my life.
The alleged
transgression of my relative does not make it
mine. The focus should be the impact of rape on
the alleged victim, and resources for other
alleged victims, not me.
Some members of the press and blogs have
turned me into the accuser; using my name for
sensational headlines and putting my images,
exclusively, in their stories. This is a form of
victimization of me as a woman, its unethical
and extremely hurtful. I am not the alleged
accused.
I therefore please ask all bloggers and the media
who have placed my pictures and name to this
story to refrain from further using me to
sensationalise this story.
I thank my fans, and all well-wishers for your
continued support and ask for your continued
prayers.
God bless.
LIB.
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