Stephanie Okereke releases a bold statement on a rape case involving her brother.

Stephanie Linus release a long and bold
letter speaking out about r*pe allegations
made about her brother, asking fans and
journalists to keep focused on getting
justice for the victim and for her brother,
Daniel.


Read her statement below: –



“I am distraught and devastated to hear
of the recent allegation of r*pe brought
against a relative of mine, Daniel Okereke
(my brother).
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. r*pe
is r*pe, regardless of who the face of the
accused is.
Indeed, the irony is not lost on me. I have
spent my lifelong career advocating and
living my conviction that women around
the world should be able to live free of
violence, s*xual harassment or any form
of abuse against their persons. This
conviction led me to be involved in
numerous initiatives combating violence
against women in several countries
including the U.S, Liberia and Sierra
Leone.
The conviction also led me to place much
of my energy on my work with Vesico
Vaginal Fistula (VVF), a passion that dates
back to my time at the University of
Calabar.
As a student, I heard a story about young
girls who had been forced into early
marriage and were suffering the negative
and embarrassing effects of VVF. The
story stayed in my consciousness and
drove me, for years, to seek ways to
raise awareness on the condition; leading
to my work with a team of dedicated
doctors to carry out repair surgeries for
VVF victims across the country; and my
self-produced, soon to be released
movie, ‘DRY.’
So, again, it is indeed heart breaking for
me to receive and deal with news alleging
a family member of mine is an alleged
perpetrator of s*xual violence against a
woman. I am devastated.
This case is now in Nigeria’s criminal
justice system as the accused awaits
arraignment. I have also encouraged and
assured the alleged victim of my stance
against r*pe and applaud her for her
bravery to upset the culture of silence, in
Nigeria; even as I accord deference and
patiently wait for the criminal justice
system to determine the guilt or
innocence of my brother.
For Nigerian press and blogs; I call on
you to please report this case in an
ethical manner. I am a married woman
living my life. The alleged transgression of
my relative does not make it mine. The
focus should be the impact of r*pe on the
alleged victim, and resources for other
alleged victims, not me.
Some members of the press and blogs
have turned me into the accuser; using
my name for sensational headlines and
putting my images, exclusively, in their
stories. This is a form of victimization of
me as a woman, its unethical and
extremely hurtful. I am not the alleged
accused.
I therefore please ask all bloggers and the
media who have placed my pictures and
name to this story to refrain from further
using me to sensationalise this story.
I thank my fans, and all well-wishers for
your continued support and ask for your
continued prayers.
God bless.”