By Abraham Adegoke
Juliette Brown, of Denver, Colorado, started the online petition last Saturday, November 28, to demand justice for Lotanna who claim that Mustapha Audu, together with some of his brothers and friends, raped and sexually abused her some eight years ago.
The Commissioner of Police and the Attorney General, both of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, were also included in the petition.
The petition has been signed by over 1,000 people.
It is rather interesting that, of the millions of Nigeria’s social media citizens, many of whom have been expressing their anger on Twitter, it took an American to start the online petition.
In her appeal on the petition, Brown expressed disgust at the response of some Nigerians to Sugabelly’s story:
I am sick to my stomach at the personal attack, visceral reaction/comments and shaming by so many Nigerians online on the blogger ‘Sugabelly’ for choosing to deal with the trauma of being raped multiple times by naming her rapists.
These rapes occurred when this young woman was 17! 17!! A child in my eyes. She has dealt with a lot in such a short life. Yet going by statistics, only 18 people in Nigeria’s 50 year history have ever been convicted… You read right, 18!!!!
We can all do something for this young woman. We can choose to turn away since its not affecting us or a loved one or someone we actually know. Or we can choose to stand up for this young girl and, by so doing, stand by the numerous young girls living the nightmare of a horrifying rape culture.
Going through the comments on her blog, it’s sad to see that many are blaming this victim for coming out…for defying the culture of SILENCE!!! Please stand with this victim and demand justice for her! You can do this by just simply sharing her story on Social Media, on your blogs, articles in publications….Please don’t allow her to be shutdown!
Meanwhile, the principal accused, Mustapha Audu, has threatened to instigate legal actions against Lotanna.
