Osun govt won’t abandon teenager with disabilities who was sexually assaulted – Gov’s aide

Kamil Aransi, Special Adviser on special needs to Governor Ademola Adeleke, has vowed that Osun State Government will not abandon the 14-year-old girl with disabilities who was reportedly defiled by neighbors inside her mother’s room.

Additionally, he disclosed that the state government would collaborate with appropriate organizations to guarantee that justice is done.

These were made known by Kamil Aransi while fielding questions from journalists at a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Osogbo.

Recall that a 14-year-old physically challenged girl (name withheld) had narrated how she was turned into a sexual object by three of her mother’s neighbors, namely, Adeboye Dele, a 39-year-old commercial bus driver, Olayiwola Itunu, a 29-year-old laborer, and a staff member of First City Monument Bank in Osogbo.

Aransi, while addressing newsmen at the court premises, described rape and sexual harassment as crimes against humanity.

He disclosed that the Osun State Government, under the leadership of Governor Ademola Adeleke, will always frown at perpetrators who defile people against their consent.

According to Aransi, the Adeleke-led administration is always ready to support victims of rape and sexual harassment through court processes, mental/emotional rehabilitation, medical and psychotherapy supports.

He further stated that the alarming response the situation received when his office heard about the incident clearly shows that the Osun State Government will not entertain any form of sexual harassment or rape against any citizen particularly those with special needs.

“I felt terribly bad about the incident because the victim requires special needs. I left what I was doing when I heard about it and headed to the police station where the matter was reported to show solidarity to the victim and her relatives, he added.

Aransi, while narrating how his team worked towards the apprehension of two out of the three suspects, further disclosed that they also provided necessary support for the family and ensured that it was prosecuted by the police.

“I attended the court proceeding in good spirit, and I await justice for the victim, but sadly, the defendants were not produced by the correctional service. The matter has been adjourned until September 26, 2024. I commend the position of the Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General of Osun State to ensure that justice is served, especially in cases involving vulnerable members of the state. I also appreciate that the Chief State Counsel from the Ministry of Justice has been assigned to take over the case on behalf of the state,” he added.