“That Wouldn’t Be Reported in Nigeria”: UK Conviction Sheds Light on How Rape Cases Are Silenced Back Home

The recent conviction of a Nigerian man, Emmanuel Onwubiko, in the United Kingdom has reignited painful conversations about how rape and sexual assault cases are often swept under the carpet in Nigeria.

Onwubiko, 35, was sentenced to two years in prison by the Liverpool Crown Court for sexually assaulting an 18-year-old woman in Warrington, Cheshire, in 2023. According to court records, he groped the teenager’s breasts, buttocks, and private parts on multiple occasions while making sexually explicit remarks. When she resisted and expressed discomfort, he reportedly dismissed her protests, saying: “This wouldn’t be reported in Nigeria.”

That chilling remark, which sought to normalise abuse by invoking the culture of silence in Nigeria, now serves as a disturbing reflection of the reality many victims face in their home country.

In Nigeria, sexual violence—particularly against women and girls—is rampant, but rarely prosecuted. Victims often suffer in silence due to fear of stigma and a lack of trust in the justice system. Perpetrators, especially when influential, frequently go unpunished as cases are either ignored, under-investigated, or settled “privately” without legal consequence.

In contrast, the UK judicial system acted swiftly. The survivor, who said she felt “physically sick” after the assault, escaped to a relative’s home and contacted the police. She also sought baptism afterwards, hoping to feel “clean” again after the traumatic experience.

The court described her ordeal as deeply distressing, especially since she had texted a friend in real-time while hiding in a bathroom, fearful for her safety. The evidence led to Onwubiko’s arrest, trial, and eventual sentencing.

His comment that such abuse would not be reported in Nigeria is a damning indictment of the state of sexual violence accountability in the country. It also highlights the urgent need for cultural and systemic change, where survivors feel safe to speak, and where justice is not reserved for only those living abroad.

Activists and rights groups have long called for reforms, including improved victim support, stricter enforcement of sexual offence laws, and public education to dismantle harmful myths that normalise assault. As this case shows, when survivors are believed, supported, and protected, justice is possible—something that should be the norm, not the exception, in every part of the world.