ON DEBORAH EMENEM: FALSE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST FEMICIDE VICTIMS
We are compelled to speak out against a deeply disturbing tactic being used to derail Justice: The deliberate spread of false claims against Deborah Sam-Praise Emenem, a 22 years old fresh graduate from the University of Nigeria Nsukka, by Emmanuel Gambo who murdered her, a student of the same University who murdered her.
Emmanuel alleged that Deborah was a Sex Worker who got into a scuffle with him about unpaid charges, which eventually led to him strangling her to death.
To be clear: this is a calculated act of defamation, distraction, and dehumanization. Deborah’s friends revealed she was acquainted with Emmanuel before her graduation, and he had taken her to the hotel to celebrate her birthday which happened the day before the incident.
Unknown to Deborah, Emmanuel had initially registered with a fake name and number at the Hotel, which points to the fact that his act was premeditated. The lie about strangulation also does not also add up, as Deborah was found in a pool of her blood, having been abandoned under the bed by Emmanuel after he killed her and escaped with her personal effects.
We have noticed a pattern of victim blaming, often times, when femicide occurs, usually done in a bid to protect perpetrators and to shift attention away from the brutal killing of women and girls: IT MUST STOP.
These false narratives are not accidental. They are intentional tools used to Undermine public outrage, Stigmatize Victims, and ultimately, Sustain a Culture of Impunity.
It is also essential to clarify; Femicide is not justified by a woman’s occupation, clothing, lifestyle, or background. No woman deserves to be killed. Period.
We call on the public, media professionals, and institutions of Justice to recognize this tactic for what it is: an attempt to silence a growing movement demanding an end to Gender Related Killings of Women and Girls and Urge the Nigeria Police to ensure that Deborah, as well as other Victims of Femicide in Nigeria gets Justice.
DOHS FEMICIDE RESEARCH HUB.