Stephanie Okereke Admits Alleged Rapist Is Brother,Wants Law To Take It's Course

Days after her elder brother, Daniel Okereke, was arrested by the Lagos State Police Command for allegedly raping a University of Lagos student at his Maryland home, popular Nollywood actress, Stephanie Linus, monday addressed the issue squarely.

Daniel had admitted committing the crime, blaming it on the devil, whilst asking for forgiveness.
In a statement released by the actress, she said she was quite distraught and devastated over the alleged crime committed by her brother.

The statement read in part: “I am distraught and devastated to hear of the recent allegation of rape 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. Rape is rape, 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 by my conviction that women around the world should be able to live free of violence, sexual 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 US, 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 a 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 sexual 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 rape and applauded her for her bravery by upsetting 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.”

She however flayed the way the story has been reported by the media, saying that the crime allegedly perpetrated by her relative does not make it hers.

She said: “For the 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 rape on the alleged victim and resources for other alleged victims, not me.

“Some members of the press and blogs have turned me to the accuser, using my name for sensational headlines and putting my images, exclusively in their stories. This is a form of victimisation of my person as a woman is unethical and extremely hurtful. I am not the 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.”