Rape Saga: “I feel pity and admiration for Stephanie Okereke” – Charles Novia

by Anike Jacobs

Earlier today, Nollywood actress, Stephanie Linus (nee Okereke) condemned her elder brother, Daniel Okereke, who is currently in police custody after being accused of raping a 300 level UNILAG student.

In her statement, the actress stated “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.”

Joining the league of fans who praised the actress for not trying to cover up for her brother’s sin, Nollywood critic and producer, Charles Novia wrote thus:

“Reading the statement, I could not help but feel pity and admiration for Stephanie. Indeed, it is a harrowing experience to have a family member accused of such a despicable and heinous crime and it is even more traumatic to be linked with the accused as if by being related by blood, she is culpable too in the crime.

The truth is that in law, each one is judged by their own actions and Stephanie is not in any way under the limelight for a crime which she knew nothing of. For that, I wholly sympathize with her and pray for comfort for her and other members of her family at this trying period. No matter the outcome of the case, there will always be a suspicion that Daniel Okereke did something to blacken the family name and the outcry against rape has been passionate (and rightly so) in the past decade in Nigeria.

I support any action taken against rapists by the law courts and while the onus of proof lies with Daniel to prove his innocence, there is no gainsaying that this case is going to be a watershed in Nigeria’s legal system for the interest it has generated. In a way, the family name is a respected name in both the business and entertainment sectors and a high profile case such as this will involve much microscopic scrutiny.

I commend Stephanie’s bravery in bringing out the statement below. She has proved by her action to be a worthy role model for a present generation.”

 

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