APC Chairman arrested and suspended amidst rape allegations by 14-year-old maid

A Chief Magistrate’s Court in Dutse, Jigawa State, has ordered the remand of an All Progressives Congress (APC) chief, Saleh Idris, who is the chairperson of APC in Roni Local Government Area of Jigawa State, over allegations of raping and impregnating his 14-year-old housemaid.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) arrested Idris on October 4 following a complaint by the victim’s brother, and he was subsequently charged by the NSCDC.

According to the NSCDC’s statement, laboratory tests at the State Sexual Assault and Referral Centre (SARC) revealed that the teenager was carrying “a healthy pregnancy of about four months and two weeks.”

“The suspect has already been charged to court, while the investigation is ongoing on the other allegations leveled on the two earlier mentioned to ascertain their level of involvement in the case,” the agency said.

Mr Idris’ action for which he has been charged is said to be contrary to section 3 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act of Jigawa State and punishable under the same law.

The encounter between the 56-year-old suspect and the victim allegedly began when he offered her a drink at a time when his wife was not at home, which made her lose consciousness. According to the statement, she was then sexually assaulted by the suspect.

After regaining consciousness, the suspect allegedly threatened her not to tell anyone or risk losing her monthly allowances. The victim continued working in his house for seven months without pay, and the abuse continued until the pregnancy became apparent.

The magistrate, Salisu Musa, ordered the remand of Idris in the correctional facility until November 22 to afford the agency more time to complete investigations.

Meanwhile, the APC in Jigawa State has suspended Idris over the allegations based on the party’s determination that his actions contravened the provision of Article 21.2 of the APC Constitution 2022 (as amended).

“Following the allegation of illegal intercourse against your housemaid, and the outcome of the preliminary investigation, by the state chapter of the party, we resolved that the act contravenes the provision of Article 21.2 of the APC Constitution 2022 (as amended).

“That (the party agreed) on the need for further investigation on the matter. Consequently, you are hereby suspended from the chairmanship of the party of Roni local government spending final report of investigation,” the party’s letter to the suspect read in part.

The APC chairman in the state, Aminu Sani, stated that preliminary investigations showed he had a case to answer, and he would remain on suspension pending the final investigation of the case.

The suspension will last until the final report of the investigation is available.