In Nigeria’s lengthy historical past of elite impunity, a brand new and explosive case has emerged one which reveals the terrifying extent to which energy can be utilized to silence, disgrace, and destroy a girl who dares to talk the reality. On the centre of this case is Hadiza Musa Baffa, and the person she accuses is a minimum of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, former Minister of Particular Duties underneath President Goodluck Jonathan, and one-time presidential aspirant.
Hadiza isn’t just alleging abuse, she is combating for her life.
In her phrases and now in proof, she was violated, manipulated, and allegedly trafficked into sexual servitude by Turaki, a person she claims was entrusted by her mom, his lover to assist her entry training and a future. As an alternative, Hadiza says she turned his “plaything,” exploited from her youth and finally pressured to hold eight pregnancies, which she chillingly alleges have been harvested for ritual functions.
Her story might need been dismissed as emotional rant apart from one unshakeable truth: a DNA take a look at has confirmed Kabiru Tanimu Turaki is the daddy of her youngster. The outcomes returned a 99.99995% chance of paternity simple, scientific proof that instantly contradicts his earlier public denials of ever figuring out her. And that’s when issues took a terrifying flip.
Moderately than acknowledge paternity or face obligation, Turaki allegedly activated the one device that males of his stature usually flip to when cornered: the police. Not simply any police, however officers of the Drive Prison Investigation Division (FCID) deployed, reportedly underneath his instruction, to trace, harass, and forcefully arrest Hadiza in a fashion that violated each authorized and ethical commonplace.
On Wednesday, December 11, 2024, whereas Hadiza returned briefly dwelling to choose up clothes for her youngster, she was ambushed. Officers reportedly broke down her door, detained her alongside her daughter, and handled her as a hardened felony. There was no public warrant, no due course of solely the uncooked drive of a system seemingly defending the highly effective.
And all of this occurred even if Turaki himself repeatedly ignored police invites, evaded arrest, and even allegedly faked a visit to the US to purchase time whereas plotting a brutal ambush in opposition to the mom of his youngster.
Hadiza is now in concern for her life. In her public statements, she warns that if something occurs to her or her daughter, the Nigerian public ought to maintain Kabiru Tanimu Turaki accountable.
However greater than a private tragedy, this case now stands as a nationwide take a look at of conscience.
If the allegations are true, then this isn’t merely a custody battle or a lover’s spat it’s the deliberate destruction of a younger lady’s physique, dignity, and future, carried out by one of the crucial embellished authorized minds within the nation. It’s the usage of state equipment for vengeance, not justice. It’s the erasure of a girl’s voice within the identify of elite preservation. And it ought to terrify each Nigerian.
What does it say about our nation when a person credibly accused of rape, ritual abuse, and paternity evasion can weaponize the legislation to arrest his accuser? What does it say when DNA proof confirms the reality, and but it’s the sufferer who’s thrown into custody?
Hadiza Musa Baffa just isn’t searching for pity. She is demanding fact, accountability, and the precise to dwell with out being hunted. Her story should not be swept underneath the carpet of affect. Her voice should not be drowned by silence. Her youngster should not grow to be a pawn in a cycle of elite punishment.
And if Nigeria nonetheless believes within the rule of legislation, then Kabiru Tanimu Turaki should be referred to as to reply not in silence, not in secret, however within the full glare of justice.
The time for complicity is over. The time for braveness is now.
