From Paul Osuyi, Asaba
A Prince (names withheld) in Idumuje-Ugboko community, Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State is now on the run after he was said to have desecrated the Palace by defiling a 14-year-old Princess.
This was even as operatives of Delta State Police Command have spread out their dragnets for a feeling Prince, and some eminent personalities who allegedly conspired to cover up the crime.
The suspect allegedly committed the sacrilegious act in the palace.
The manhunt for the fleeing Prince was occasioned by a petition by one Prince Walters Eziashi, alleging that the act was brought to the knowledge of members of the royal family who allegedly concealed it and took the girl to the hospital for treatment.
A suspect who was earlier arrested in connection with the crime had told investigators that the matter was resolved internally, as he was fined four goats and other traditional items to appease the gods and cleanse the palace.
A police source told Daily Sun that the arrested suspect said the victim consented to the rape hence the matter was “settled” in the palace, adding that with the recent petition, there was more to it than meet the eye.
According to the source, facts emerged from the recent petition that the suspect who was fined was not the person that actually committed the crime.
He added that several attempts made to arrest all the suspects were resisted by armed youths in the palace, who threatened violence and to burn the police van, adding that they only succeeded in making the initial one arrest as a result of reinforcement.
“We are still looking for the suspects to answer charges of alleged group rape of the 14-year old girl,” the police source said.
Contacted, Public Relations Officer of the command, Mr. Andrew Aniamaka confirmed the development, saying police were still investigating the case and making efforts to arrest the principal suspect.