TheCable

Nigerian actress, scriptwriter and director, Stephanie Linus (nee Okereke), has condemned rape and supported her brother’s prosecution for allegedly committing the crime.

Daniel Okereke, Stephanie’s brother is facing rape allegations, with reports saying he drove a 22-year-old female student of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) to his house in Mende, Maryland, where he raped her time and again.

The victim reported the case at a police station with accompanying medical report to confirm that penetration did occur during the encounter.

According to the 300-level student, Okereke drove her to his house against her wish and wanted to have sex with her, which she declined before he called his guards to tie her up and seal her mouth while he raped her several times.

“When we got to his house, I told him that I was not interested in having sex with him; he called two of his security guards to help him to tie me up and seal my mouth,” she said in a statement.

“He then brought out his belt and started flogging me. He raped me several times till he was satisfied.

“He later removed the ropes and ordered me to get out of his house. I was in pains and knew that since the law will finally release him because of his status, I needed to destroy anything within reach. It was his neighbour, whose car was destroyed, that alerted the police at Area F, Ikeja.”

In a statement, Stephanie, who has dedicated her life and career to fighting female violence, said she was distraught and devastated.

“I am distraught and devastated to hear of the recent allegation of rape brought against a relative of mine, Daniel Okereke (my brother).

“While it is a very difficult time for me, and my family; I feel the need to make clear my position, lest there be any doubt. Rape is rape, regardless of who the face of the accused is.”

Highlighting her commitment to protecting the women folk against abuse, she said her passion dates back to her time at the University of Calabar, when she heard about young girls forced into early marriage and had to grapple with Vesico vagina fistula(VVF).

“As a student, I heard a story about young girls who had been forced into early marriage and were suffering the negative and embarrassing effects of VVF.

“The story stayed in my consciousness and drove me, for years, to seek ways to raise awareness on the condition, leading to my work with a team of dedicated doctors to carry out repair surgeries for VVF victims across the country and my self-produced, soon-to-be-released movie, DRY.”

She added that she was waiting for Nigeria’s criminal justice system to determine the guilt or innocence of her brother, applauding the bravery of the victim to upset the culture of silence on rape.

The 32-year-old model called on the press to be professional in reporting the situation, saying she was not the accused.

“Some members of the press and blogs have turned me into the accused, using my name for sensational headlines and putting my images, exclusively, in their stories.

“This is a form of victimisation of me as a woman; it’s unethical and extremely hurtful; I am not the alleged accused.”

Daniel Okereke is also a cousin of one-time director general of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke.