For a couple of days now, twitter has been abuzz since Sugabelly, a blogger and illustrator came out to accuse the son of late governorship candidate of Kogi State, Audu Mustapha and his friends of serial rape.
It started with a series of tweets but she later wrote a blog post about it.
The accused, Mustapha Audu released a few screenshots of old mails sent by Sugabelly and also granted an interview to an online news site where he basically side-stepped key questions on the matter.
There has been mixed reactions from different people. Some are surprising, some are disappointing but there are some that would restore your faith in humanity.
Some influential women have also showed support for Sugabelly, see a few below;
OBY EZEKWESELI
You mock @sugabelly ? I have just spent time with her Mom. Turned out to be my friend in Undergrad @ UNN. We just cried&cried & WE STAND!!!!
— Oby Ezekwesili (@obyezeks) November 27, 2015
WE shall STAND WITH @sugabelly & ensure that all the FACTS are fully established. We owe her& all victims who speak up the little WE CAN DO.
— Oby Ezekwesili (@obyezeks) November 27, 2015
WE ALL must be CAREFUL as Nigerians & all try to FIND OUR HUMANITY. How could I have imagined that @sugabelly is the daughter of one I know? — Oby Ezekwesili (@obyezeks) November 27, 2015
On it, Kayode. I’m in touch with Chief Afe Babalola.He was shocked hearing the allegation from me. | @ogundamisi: @Echecrates @sugabelly
— Oby Ezekwesili (@obyezeks) November 27, 2015
Aisha Yesufu – A human rights activist and key fighter in the Chibok girls case
https://twitter.com/AishaYesufu/status/670247140980080640
Funmi Iyanda – a well-known TV Host and Media Entrepreneur
I don't know what to say @sugabelly. I feel deep anger and sadness. I can offer you a tight hug now whilst l process https://t.co/PUI3VEpmub
— Funmi Iyanda (@Funmilola) November 27, 2015
I don't believe Audu's account because he gave no account. He didn't rape "anybody" he said, and the rest is my best friends are black.
— Funmi Iyanda (@Funmilola) November 28, 2015
Molara Wood – a seasoned Writer and journalist
Open Tweet to @Sugabelly: Glad you're back. Please never correspond with your traducers again in any form unless it's through your lawyers.
— Molara Wood (@molarawood) November 28, 2015
Open Tweet to @Sugabelly 2: In fact, be careful what you commit into writing with anyone on this matter behind the scenes, henceforth.
— Molara Wood (@molarawood) November 28, 2015
Open Tweet to @Sugabelly 3: Before they accused you of wanting to write a book, it occurred to me that you must write one! Write your story!
— Molara Wood (@molarawood) November 28, 2015
Open Tweet to @Sugabelly 4: You're so gifted. They call talent a gift, because many'd wish they had it. Reason enough to live and overcome!
— Molara Wood (@molarawood) November 28, 2015
Open Tweet to @Sugabelly 5: Then you take the cake; you can write! You can give expression to experience. Too much. Na only you waka come?
— Molara Wood (@molarawood) November 28, 2015
Open Tweet to @Sugabelly 6: I'm humbled to be one of many in your corner through this ordeal. You're our Suga Girl, and I'm proud of you.
— Molara Wood (@molarawood) November 28, 2015
Lola Shoneyin – Director, Ake Arts and Book Festival and founder of Book Buzz Foundation
If u've tried 2 shame Sugabelly in2 silence by calling her a slut or whore, 1 of ff-ing describes u: 1) Rapist. 2) Rapist-to-be. 3) Sadist.
— Lọlá Shónẹ́yìn (@lolashoneyin) November 27, 2015
About 20 years ago, a group of guys, all sons of well-to-do parents in Ibadan would go on the prowl every evening in a car…/1
— Lọlá Shónẹ́yìn (@lolashoneyin) November 27, 2015
They would drive up and down Ring Road, Ibadan, slow down at bus-stops where young women/ girls were waiting for a bus or taxi home…/2
— Lọlá Shónẹ́yìn (@lolashoneyin) November 27, 2015
They guys would snatch these girls/women off the streets, take them to a quiet spot and gangrape them. They did this very often…./3
— Lọlá Shónẹ́yìn (@lolashoneyin) November 27, 2015
The guys would threaten the girls/women by saying they'd tell the entire neighbourhood (about rape rape) if victims ever told anyone…/3
— Lọlá Shónẹ́yìn (@lolashoneyin) November 27, 2015
Having been brutalised once already, few women can stomach trauma of being scrutinized & called 'sluts'. Our society rapes them again…/4
— Lọlá Shónẹ́yìn (@lolashoneyin) November 27, 2015
Some of these rapists are pastors now, some in govt, with happy families. But those women are still piecing their broken lives together…/5
— Lọlá Shónẹ́yìn (@lolashoneyin) November 27, 2015
Too many of our women are sexually abused and raped everyday. We suffer in silence while the perpetrators lead happy lives, without fear?
— Lọlá Shónẹ́yìn (@lolashoneyin) November 27, 2015
Kemi Adetiba – Producer, director and Vlogger
Just a tip. If you can't 100% prove someone was NOT raped, please don't negatively comment, degrade, further abuse or attack the victim.
— Kemi Adetiba (@kemiadetiba) November 27, 2015
Abike Dabiri Arewa
So pathetic!But you've taken a major step!Speaking out https://t.co/lVPmBbATqn
— Abike Dabiri-Erewa (@abikedabiri) November 27, 2015
If she get's in touch, will work with her .She must get closure . https://t.co/MDzZsxgymh
— Abike Dabiri-Erewa (@abikedabiri) November 27, 2015
A bill I sponsored is now a law. It became a law , May 2015 . Penalty for rape is now life imprisonment, https://t.co/9ZjfD37S4c
— Abike Dabiri-Erewa (@abikedabiri) November 27, 2015
A few people have come out to say that her case would not be different from several cases of rape that is not well handled in Nigeria. But one thing is certain however, her coming out has empowered more women to speak out about their personal experiences.
