A 15 year old orphan and native of Obokwe Asa in Ukwa West LGA, Chinagorom Peter has narrated his ordeal in the hands of one Emeka Nwogu, a 52 year old man who initially pretended to render assistance to him but later turned round to abuse him sexualy and used him to beg for alms in the streets of Lagos.
Narrating his ordeal to newsmen in Umuahia, Master Peter revealed that he met the man who was unknown to him at Aba and the man offered to assist him further his education and took him to Lagos.
He revealed that on getting to Lagos, the man started using him to beg for money, carrying him in wheel barrow in the pretence that he was handicapped. According to him, his supposed benefactor, apart from using him to beg in various places including churches also subjected him to homosexual abuse by forcing him to bed at night.
Master Peter said that it was after the man had slept with him on four different occasions that he decided to report the matter to the police in Lagos who took him to hospital. He added that the police later arrested the said Emeka Nwogu who is now cooling off in Kirikiri maximum prison.
He disclosed that the police equally took him (Master Peter) to a boys’ correctional center in Oregun, Lagos where he stayed for a year and eight months after he had lived with the man for a month.
Speaking on the issue, the commissioner for Information, chief John Okiyi Kalu said that the Governor has directed his medical team to take proper care of the boy and ensure that he is rehabilitated, informing that the boy is currently receiving adequate medical attention at the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia.
He disclosed that the government is building a new rehabilitation home to accommodate destitutes in the State, adding that a half-way-home facility built by Total oil is now ready for commissioning in the State.
Chief Kalu pointed out that the State government cares about the welfare of her citizens and will do all to cater for them wherever they are.
Contributing The Senior special Assistant to the Governor on Teenage Matters, Mrs. Chinemenma Umesiaka called on those who are emotionally abused to open up to government as the administration is committed to rehabilitating and taking care of such persons.
According to the Director, Child Development, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Lady Ijeoma Nwanosike, Master Peter was brought to the Ministry by the wife of the Governor, Deaconess Nkechi Ikpeazu after his return from Lagos and commended the wife of the Governor for being compassionate over Master Chinagorom Peter’s case.
Azubuike Jinanwa & Divine Nwankwo
