By Juliana Francis
A Lagos-based model and thrift vendor, popularly known as Fems Thrift, broke down in tears during a recent court appearance, alleging that the man accused of assaulting her and a friend may walk free despite what she describes as overwhelming evidence.
In a viral video shared on X-Space, where she was weeping bitterly, she recounted: “I don’t deserve this. We went to work, and this guy raped us and threatened to kill us with a knife. He collected our nude photos/videos from our phones and blackmailed us with them. The police have all the evidence, yet they want to let him walk free, saying there’s no case.”
Providing an update, she added, “The guy who raped me and my friend is about to walk free because the police are now saying there’s not much evidence against him. We have been going to court since February to date. We presented all the evidence, including the knife and the doctor’s report. But the police are trying to use the court to drop the case and release him because of money.”
The case stems from an incident earlier this year when Fems Thrift and her friend were allegedly lured to a fake modelling shoot in the Ajao Estate area of Lagos, where they were assaulted at knifepoint.
On social media, reactions have been mixed. Some expressed sympathy and outrage at the justice system, while others questioned the credibility of the evidence.
Alphonsus wrote: “I really feel sorry for you!! Your gender don makes us afraid to fight for you. Because we don’t even know when people like you are saying the truth! Drop evidence online!”
Chief & Queen commented: “Omo, this is really sad… corruption in Nigeria keeps getting worse.”
Bunny added, “This is so sad and disappointing. Imagine going through something this traumatic, presenting evidence, attending court for months, and still being told there’s ‘not enough evidence.’ If money is truly influencing this case, then the justice system is failing these girls badly.”
Others, however, raised doubts. Naija Observations noted: “Rape is a serious issue, I don’t think a knife and doctor’s report is enough to conclude such a case, you need strong evidence that actually links the accused to the crime.”
Yagazielum cautioned: “This is not fair to the ladies if that’s true. However, we need to hear the man’s side of the story and from the police. The court cannot just throw the case out and say no case. Then again, what the heck were their nudes doing in their phones?”
Meanwhile, voices like Sixtus Okechukwu Nanjo emphasised the broader problem: “This is why most rape victims don’t speak out. This is totally not fair. She got the balls to speak out, and yet she can’t get justice.”
#Rape
#LagosPolice
#NPF
#DSVA
