CSOs demand justice over death of girl thrown from storey building by sister's boyfriend

A coalition of Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, has met with the Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Audu Garba Bosso, to demand justice for the death of a 17-year-old girl, Chiamaka Chukwuokore, who was allegedly thrown down from a two-storey building by her sister's boyfriend.

The incident occurred at Mbonu Ejike Street in Owerri. The girl was reportedly thrown down from the building after turning down sexual advances by her sister's boyfriend.

The group is demanding that the case should not be swept under the carpet, insisting that justice must be done by ensuring that the suspect faces the law.

The Executive Director of Onunube Coalition, Mrs Marjorie Ezihe, said that civil society groups from other states of the South-East are demanding transparency in the investigation of the matter, hence the reason for the visit.

She expressed sadness that an innocent girl, a minor for that matter, will experience such an excruciating death.

Ezihe added that the circumstances surrounding the girl's death, if left unchecked, will encourage prospective perpetrators to continue unleashing violent crime on vulnerable children.

She insisted on a thorough investigation in the matter even as she warned families to see the safety of their children as top priority.

Ezihe further pointed out that the international community is watching the outcome of the matter, hence the need for the police to painstakingly carry out the investigation and ensure that justice is served.

According to her, the civil society groups will closely monitor every development until justice is served.

Also speaking, Peace Dike, the Executive Director, Virgin Heart Foundation, described the incident as an act of femicide.

She added that no explanation by the suspect will be genuine enough to justify the circumstances surrounding the girl's death.

She advised that the society should be proactive in protecting children, mostly the girl child, from harmful practices by ensuring a safe environment for their well-being.

Dike noted that the blood of the girl is crying for justice, maintaining that what happened to Chiamaka could happen to any other child if nothing is done.

She added that society should speak loudly against gender-based violence, mostly on the girl child.

In their respective speeches, the Vice Chairman, Federation of Female Lawyers, Imo chapter, Lady Chioma Iwueze, and a CSO member from Abia State, Amaka Biachi, condemned the manner in which Chiamaka died.

They urged the police to fast-track the investigation process and ensure that those involved in the crime are brought to justice.

Responding, the police commissioner, Bosso, said it is quite unfortunate that the girl died despite the quick response from the command to save her life.

He said that the suspect, 26-year-old Ifeanyichukwu, was immediately arrested and is still in police custody as investigation is ongoing.

The CP informed the group that the matter has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, and the command is waiting for the final outcome of the investigation.

He assured that the command is not relenting on the matter, adding that the suspect, if found culpable of the crime, will face the full weight of the law.

"No violator of the law will go scot-free. If the suspect is found guilty he must face the law, justice must be done," the CP assured.

CSOs demand justice over death of girl thrown from storey building by sister's boyfriend