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Ex-Bayelsa Security Adviser raped me inside office, cashier tells court
The victim in the alleged rape trial of Chief Perekeme Kpodo, a former Security Adviser to former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, has testified before a Bayelsa High Court, giving vivid accounts of how she was raped by her boss (Kpodo).
The 26-year-old lady (name withheld) on Friday testified along with her uncle and a medical doctor who examined her on June 9, 2018, a day after she was allegedly abused sexually.
In her testimony at the court, the victim said that she was invited by the accused (her boss) to his office in the hotel about 8pm on the fateful day where he locked the doors and forcefully overpowered her and raped her.
She said Kpodo had threatened her that he was the brain behind the Famou Tangbe (a dreadful security outfit’ under ex-governor Sylva and advised her to yield to his demand in her own interest.
The victim, who narrated her experience before the court, broke down in tears and subsequently forced the judge to suspend the hearing twice to enable her to regain composure.
She said that the accused person had been making indecent sexual approaches to her before the incident.
The victim stated, “I was employed as a cashier by Kpodo, the owner of the hotel. Whenever I went to submit cash to him, he usually touched me. I did not like the way he used to touch me. So, I reported it to the employment agency that helped me secure the job, and they advised me to talk to him to stop it.
“I talked to him that it was a sin and that I did not like the way he used to touch me any time I went to his off. After my protest, he stopped for some time. But after some time, he started again. That fateful day, he locked up the door and raped me. I shouted and also pleaded and he said he would not leave me until he was satisfied with me.
“So, when he finished, he asked me to clean myself and to bring his food. He did not use a condom and I was injured. He removed my pair of trousers and I kept struggling with him until he finished.
“I called my uncle who is a policeman and he came and took me home. The next day, we went to report to the incident to the Police and they gave me a medical report form which I took to a hospital.
“The hospital conducted tests, including HIV test on me and thereafter prescribed some drugs which I have been taking.”
Recall that Kpodo was on July 31, 2018, arraigned for alleged rape at State High Court 7 in Yenagoa.
Kpodo was charged with two counts of unlawful detention and rape of the victim, a 26-year-old female cashier at the hotel owned and run by the accused person.
At the resumed trial of the case, the trial judge, Justice E. Eradiri, listened to the testimony of a medical practitioner, Dr. Ikenna Nwanna, who examined the victim after she was allegedly raped.
Nwanna, a medical practitioner from the Diete Koko Memorial Hospital, Opolo, Yenagoa, told the court that the patient complained of pains in her pubic area and walked with difficulty when she came to the clinic on June 9, 2018.
The doctor said, “The patient complained that she was raped by her boss and I examined her in the presence of a female nurse. There were bruises in her vulva and due to the pains she did not allow me to touch her vaginal area.
“There were also whitish discharge which I suspect to be semen, although I did not conduct any further tests, the observations tallied with her complaint of violent sexual assault.”
The Kano State House of Assembly has initiated impeachment proceedings against Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo over allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of public trust.
The notice was presented yesterday during plenary by the Majority Leader, Lawan Hussaini Dala, who said the action follows Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Dala said the allegations stem from Abdussalam’s tenure as Commissioner for Local Government (2023–2024) and his current role as deputy governor. He accused the deputy governor of diverting funds meant for the 44 local government councils.
According to the majority leader, Abdussalam allegedly received N1.5 million monthly from each council between June 2023 and January 2024, totaling N462 million. Between February and July 2024, he allegedly collected N3.255 million monthly from each council under the guise of special assignments, amounting to N726 million.
Dala also accused the deputy governor of abuse of office, claiming he facilitated payments of N10 million from each council to NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited, totaling N440 million, in violation of state procurement laws.
“The misuse of official capacity to confer undue advantage constitutes abuse of power and undermines public trust,” Dala told lawmakers, adding that the allegations amount to gross misconduct under the Constitution.
The impeachment notice was reportedly endorsed by 38 lawmakers, meeting the constitutional threshold to proceed. The Speaker has acknowledged receipt, and the House is expected to serve the allegations on the deputy governor.
If approved, a panel may be constituted by the state Chief Judge to investigate the claims.
As of filing, Abdussalam had yet to respond publicly to the allegations.
The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, on Wednesday inaugurated a seven-member committee on the establishment of state police, giving it four weeks to submit its report.
The inauguration was held during his maiden conference with senior police officers at the Peacekeeping Conference Centre, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
Charging members of the panel to discharge their duties with professionalism and objectivity, Disu described the assignment as “both significant and timely,” noting that it would shape the framework through which state policing may operate in Nigeria.
“In carrying out this assignment, your deliberations must be guided by professionalism, objectivity, and a clear appreciation of the unique complexities of policing a diverse nation such as our own,” the IGP said.
He stated that if properly designed and effectively implemented, state policing holds significant potential benefits for the country.
“By bringing law enforcement closer to communities, state police institutions can deepen local knowledge of security dynamics and enable quicker and more targeted responses to emerging threats,” he added.
The committee is expected to review existing policing models within and outside Nigeria, assess community security needs and emerging risks, and propose an operational framework for the establishment and coordination of state police structures.
It will also address issues relating to recruitment, training, standards and resource allocation, as well as develop accountability and oversight mechanisms to ensure professionalism and public trust.
The panel is chaired by Olu Ogunsakin, with Bode Ojajuni as secretary. Other members are Emmanuel Ojukwu, Okebechi Agora, Suleyman Gulma, Ikechukwu Okafor and Tolulope Ipinmisho.
Disu said the committee had about four weeks to conclude its assignment and submit a comprehensive report.
The move marks one of the first major steps taken by the new police chief since his appointment and confirmation a few days ago.
The development comes amid rising security concerns across the country, with several stakeholders advocating state policing as part of measures to tackle insecurity.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier asked the National Assembly to commence the process of amending relevant laws to pave the way for the creation of state police.
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday swore in Olatunji Disu as the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).
Disu took the oath of office at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, shortly before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.
The President also administered the oath of office to six commissioners of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and two commissioners of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC).
The ceremonies were witnessed by ministers, senior government officials and family members of the appointees.
The council meeting began shortly after the swearing-in.
In attendance were Vice President Kashim Shettima; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu; and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs EsthMrs.Walson-Jack.
Disu was appointed acting IGP on February 25, 2026, by President Tinubu, following the resignation of former IGP Kayode Egbetokun.
His appointment was subsequently endorsed by the Nigeria Police Council (NPC).
The former Assistant Inspector-General of Police assumed office last Wednesday.
He previously served as Assistant Inspector-General in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos, after his promotion to the rank last year.
A former head of the Lagos Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Disu has pledged to deliver accountable, modern and professional policing.
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