Nigeria was ranked ninth most dangerous country for women in a 2018 Thomas Reuters report. And despite moving up 16 places to 123 in 2022 from its previous 136 in the world gender gap report, gender violence continues to be rampant with no end in sight.

Here are 10 rape and gender violence cases of 2022:

BABA IJESHA SENTENCED TO JAIL FOR ASSAULTING MINOR – JULY 14

James Olanrewaju, nollywood actor, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, was found guilty of molesting the 14-year old foster daughter of Damilola Adekoya, a comedienne popularly known as Princess. He was sentenced to a 16-year jail term at the Ikeja Special Offences Court.

Baba Ijesha was first arrested on April 21, 2021, after news of him sexually assaulting the minor circulated in the media.

The actor was found guilty of four out of the six offences he was charged with, including indecently touching and sexually assaulting a minor.

READ ALSO: DSVRT Forwards Baba Ijesha’s Case File to Directorate of Public Prosecution

LAGOS DOCTOR REMANDED OVER RAPE OF 15-YEAR-OLD GIRL- NOVEMBER 30

Olufemi Olaleye, the medical director of Optimal Cancer Care Foundation, was arraigned at the Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court on a two-count charge of child defilement and sexual penetration and was remanded at the Ikoyi prison thereafter.

Olaleye’s wife had accused him of raping her 16-year-old niece from March 2020 to November 2021, stating that he introduced her to pornography and oral sex.

Mrs. Olaleye also stated how her husband drugged her every night in order to perpetrate his actions. Despite his ‘not guilty’ plea, Olaleye is being held in prison until he meets his N50 million bail condition and provides two sureties in the same amount. 

BRT DRIVER RAPED BAMISE, DUMPS BODY – FEBRUARY 26

Bamise Ayanwole, a fashion designer who worked at Chevron Estate in Ajah, was raped in the BRT bus she boarded at Chevron bus stop and thrown out of the bus.

Ayanwole had sent voice notes to her friend on WhatsApp, expressing worry over the absence of light in the bus and Andrew Nice Omininikoron, the BRT driver’s refusal to pick up other passengers.

But that was the last time anyone heard from her. She never made it home. Ayanwole was raped and thrown out of the BRT bus at Carter Bridge, Lagos Island. Her corpse was found nine days later, with some of her body parts reportedly mutilated.

THREE BOYS GANGRAPE JUNIOR FEMALE STUDENT IN ONDO STATE – NOVEMBER 24

Idris Matthew, 17, Olawale Tobi, 18, and Ajayi Michael, 17, all SS3 students of Akure High School, Ondo State, reportedly gangraped a 14-year-old junior female student in SS1 in the school’s compound.

The victim was said to have been ambushed by the trio on her way back from a bush in the school’s grounds where she went to defecate.

She revealed what had happened to her when her classmates and teachers noticed she was in pain and had bloodstains on her uniform and started asking questions.

READ ALSO: 5 Men ‘Gang-Rape’ Nigerian Woman in Cyprus

68-YEAR OLD RETIRED PRINCIPAL REMANDED FOR DEFILING 10-YEAR-OLD GIRL – NOVEMBER 1

Ayodele Faremi, a retired principal, was reportedly remanded at the correctional centre in Ilesa, Osun State, for allegedly defiling a 10-year-old, until January 17, 2023, when he will be tried by the department of public prosecution in the state.

Faremi was charged on three counts bordering on rape, sexual exploitation, and sexual assault. He was accused of exploiting the minor three times: twice in May and once in August 2022.

POPULAR GOSPEL SINGER, OSINACHI, DIES IN THE HANDS OF ABUSIVE HUSBAND – APRIL 8

Osinachi Nwachukwu, the Ekwueme crooner, passed away at a hospital in Abuja on April 8. The singer allegedly suffered a blood clot in her chest after being assaulted by Peter Nwachukwu, her husband.

Family and friends of Osinachi revealed how the singer endured domestic abuse and violence in silence at the hands of her husband for years, recounting how he isolated her from people and took control of all her finances, posing as her manager.

Nwachukwu faces a 23-count homicide suit levelled against him by the federal government and is currently remanded at the Kuje correctional facility, where he awaits trial.

31-YEAR-OLD MAN MURDERS LOVER – OCTOBER 24

Edeh Tochukwu, 31, confessed to killing Ijeoma Phyllis, his 48-year-old girlfriend. The 31-year-old stated that he had visited his lover at her home in Lugbe, Abuja, and that a violent argument ensued between them, which led him to hit her with a pestle.

After the incident, Tochukwu fled the scene with Ijeoma’s car, phones, and other property. He was apprehended in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on November 2.

READ ALSO: BREAKING: I Killed Ini Umoren in Self-Defence, Says Uduak Akpan

INI UMOREN’S KILLER, UDUAK AKPAN, SNTENCED TO DEATH – AUGUST 4

Uduak Abasi Akpan was sentenced to life imprisonment and then death by hanging for raping and murdering Iniubong Umoren, a 26-year-old graduate whom he hoodwinked into meeting with him for a job interview.

Umoren disappeared on April 29, 2021, after she went for the fake job interview set up by Akpan. On May 2, Umoh Uduak, Umoren’s friend who alerted the public that Umoren was in trouble, shared a post on Twitter stating that they raped and killed her friend.

Umoren was found buried in a shallow grave in Akpan’s compound.

NOLLYWOOD ACTOR MOSES ARMSTRONG CHARGED WITH RAPING MINOR – AUGUST 10

Moses Armstrong was arraigned for the rape of a 16-year-old girl, whom he adopted and lived with, together with the supply of abortion drugs at a State High Court sitting in Uyo.

The actor who was arrested on June 13 had his bail set at N5 million.

5-YEAR-OLD HANIFA ABUBAKAR KIDNAPPED, KIILED

Hanifa Abubakar, 5, was kidnapped by Abdulmalik Muhammed Tanko, her school teacher, on December 4. Tanko requested a ransom of N6 million and confessed to killing the 5-year-old on December 18, after she identified him.

On July 28, 2022, Tanko was sentenced to death by hanging together with his accomplice, Hashimu Isyaku, 38, for kidnapping and killing Abubakar.

Fatima Musa, also an accomplice, was sentenced to a two-year imprisonment for conspiracy and an attempt to commit a felony.