A lawyer attached to the National Human Rights Commission, Taraba State office, Barrister Ikrimah Isa, has been accused of pressuring the family of a 13-year-old girl to accept compensation and withdraw a case against a serving Army officer.
The minor, identified as Liyatu, who is deaf and non-speaking, was allegedly raped and impregnated by Captain Etim Essien while living under the care of his family in Taraba State.
Sources told SaharaReporters that the lawyer intervened to secure the release of Blessing Essien, the captain’s wife and the victim’s older step-sister, who had been arrested and remanded at the correctional facility in Jalingo.
According to family sources, Blessing spent only two days in custody before she was released following Isa’s intervention, contrary to their belief that she was still in detention.
The sources alleged that after her release, Blessing approached Liyatu’s family to accept N500,000 and drop the charges against her husband. A video obtained by SaharaReporters reportedly shows Blessing with the baby and members of the girl’s family during the appeal.
“Blessing, the woman we all thought had been in Jalingo Prison, was released two days after staying there. She only went to Liyatu’s family and told them that they should accept N500,000 as compensation and drop the charges,” a family source alleged.
Another source alleged that the couple had earlier offered the family N20 million to discontinue the case, which the family rejected.
“The human rights lawyer has been telling Liyatu and her family to agree and accept compensation and withdraw the case. Very shocking,” a source alleged.
The family insists it wants justice and prosecution in accordance with the law, not monetary settlement.
Lawyer Denies Allegation
When contacted, Isa dismissed the claims.
“All the allegations are not true. Blessing is still under the custody of the court. The case also involves multiple agencies,” he told SaharaReporters.
His statement conflicts with the family’s account of her release.
Background
SaharaReporters had on September 9 reported that Captain Essien was accused of sexually abusing the minor while she was living with his family after Blessing took custody of her on the pretext of enrolling her in school.
Sources alleged that the couple had been childless for years and that Blessing arranged circumstances for her husband to have sexual relations with the minor in hopes she would bear a child for them, while concealing the pregnancy and posing as pregnant herself.
A telephone recording obtained by SaharaReporters allegedly captured Blessing admitting that her husband had sexual relations with her step-sister and pleading for the matter to be resolved as a family issue.
The Taraba State Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Development confirmed intervention in the case. Commissioner Mrs Mary Sinjen had confirmed Blessing was remanded with the baby she was breastfeeding, while the 13-year-old was staying with her parents.
In a letter dated September 8, 2026, titled “Notification of Alleged Sexual Abuse of a Minor Involving a Serving Officer — Captain Etim Essien,” the ministry notified the Chief of Army Staff of the allegation, stating that Essien was believed to be attending a course at Jaji, Kaduna State, and requested administrative and disciplinary procedures.
The Nigerian Army on September 12 said it had commenced investigation into the allegations.
Captain Essien, through his lawyer G.T. Ieave, denied the account, stating: “This account does not accurately reflect what transpired… As counsel in the matter, we wish to state that this account does not accurately reflect what transpired, and we are monitoring closely the situation as events unfold.” He noted the matter was before a competent court and under police investigation.
Efforts to confirm Blessing’s custody status from the Nigerian Correctional Service, Taraba Command, were unsuccessful as of press time.
