Title: The Nigerian Man Linked to Suicidal Girl in South Carolina Sparks Controversy
Nigeria, August 15 – In a development that has generated intense media coverage and public controversy, a 26-year-old Nigerian man was issued an ultimatum on Thursday by U.S. officials, accusing him of allegedly blacking the skin of an under-aged girl and sexually abusing her on several occasions, resulting in the unfortunate death by suicide.
Folajide Alakite, a businessman who had reportedly relocated to South Carolina from Lagos, Nigeria, is alleged to have carried out the heinous act, a charge he strongly denies.
Details of the tragedy have sent shockwaves across both the United States and Nigeria, prompting an emergency response from various stakeholders.
Preliminary investigation, which started when the South Carolina Department of Social Services took action on information shared on a local Facebook post, led law enforcement authorities to a small studio apartment in South Carolina where a number of juvenile females were located. Unfortunately, one of these minors was later discovered dead with indications suggesting the suicide was brought about by sustained emotional trauma suffered as a direct result of these allegations.
“I was shocked by this report”, said Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Ministry Spokesman, Ferdinand Nwoye, while reacting to the incident in a statement published by local dailies on Sunday. “As a representative of the Government of Nigeria, we take matters like this with the utmost severity. We hope the US will take concrete action against this unfortunate man”.
Speaking in an interview, Alakite, described as “arrogant and non-cooperative” by one official, insists on his innocence and threatened retaliatory legal actions. His relatives and associates describe the accusations as baseless fabrications designed to besmirch the name and reputation of innocent people.
Amid the investigation and international clamour for his deportation, concerns about the perceived slow response time from US Immigration authorities and suggestions that Nigerian citizens were not giving due process prior to publically branding him, Alakite and his cohorts.
Aid efforts by relief groups, governments and individual residents continue, attempting to console affected families and tackle mental health complications of such shocking tragedies.
To stem the escalating unrest and concerns from various social and cultural networks in both regions, it will be essential that a transparent judicial process takes the driver’s seat. In line with global and ethical norms on sexual exploitation of children, I demand justice from those who find themselves involved”, an American commentator emphasized in one blog.
Urging immediate actions from United States officials regarding Alakite, human right activist and civil rights attorney have stepped up appeals on behalf of victims, assuring a speedy prosecution if findings against the accussed man bear the truth and support from affected individuals and members of their own families.
Lawmakers from several state capitals on the east and west coasts are expected to raise concerns today over this “despicable action, an unspeakable violence to human soul”.
While US law enforcement have secured an immigration warrant, detaining the embattled subject and planning expedited removal. Local law agencies will conduct necessary further inquiries aimed at unraveling these terrible experiences before they do a similar statement as an afterword. Nigerians abroad say “no place in society”.
While investigations in Nigeria have now officially commenced over potential accomplices who could face additional charges abroad or domestically – for aiding criminal behavior in Africa.
