Family demands Justice Over 22-year-old Undergraduate Raped, Murdered in Benin Church
The family of late Vera Uwaila Omozuwa, a 22-year-old Microbiology undergraduate of the University of Benin, has lamented the delay in securing justice for their daughter, nearly six years after she was raped and murdered inside a church in Benin
Omozuwa was attacked on May 27, 2020, when she went to the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Edo Province 10, Ikpoba Hill, Benin to study in a quiet environment.
While inside the church, she was reportedly assaulted, raped and struck on the head with a fire extinguisher by yet-to-be-identified persons.
She was later discovered in a pool of her blood by a security officer and rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), where she died on May 30, 2020.
Speaking to journalists on Saturday at the graveside of the deceased at the 3rd Cemetery, Benin, during a remembrance to mark her birthday and untimely death, a member of the family, Judith Omozuwa, expressed deep concern that justice had remained elusive almost six years after the incident.
Judith said the prolonged delay had devastated the family, noting that there was hardly any court sitting on the case that their father had not attended.
“In a few months’ time, it will be six years. There is still no justice. We keep going to court and stressing ourselves. We cannot move on. My parents cannot move on.
“We cannot move on because we are yet to see the outcome of this case. We are yet to see justice. How do we move on?, she asked rhetorically.
We are completely dissatisfied with the whole process. We are calling for justice,” she said.
According to her, the only thing that can bring peace and closure to the family is the prosecution and punishment of those responsible, adding that it would also serve as a deterrent to others.
Also speaking, the elder sister of the deceased, Sandra Omozuwa, appealed to the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, to intervene by revisiting the case and ensuring that justice is delivered within a reasonable time.
She faulted the previous administration for what she described as insufficient effort to ensure justice for their late sister, despite earlier assurances.
“I am appealing to Governor Okpebholo to please come to our aid. The past government promised us justice, but it did not happen.
“I know the government is not the court, but the governor is the number one citizen of the state and could have helped to hasten the process,” she said.
Sandra further lamented that several suspects had allegedly been released over the years, despite the family’s consistent presence at court proceedings.
“My father has not missed a single court date. The stress, pain and trauma cannot just be forgotten like that.
“I want to appeal to Nigerians and the Edo State Government to please come to our aid. We want our sister to get justice. Justice must be served. She should not be denied,” she added.
