UK Rapist Evades Justice, Flees to Nigeria

Rapist flees to Nigeria after 15-Year sentence in UK...

A woman known as AB was subjected to s3xual abuse and exploitation by Kelechukwu Orji in the UK. She reported the abuse and Orji was convicted, but he fled before sentencing. AB suffered severe emotional distress, including flashbacks, self-blame, and suicidal thoughts. She remains in the UK, fearing reprisals from Orji's family and estranged from her own family, who didn't support her reporting the abuse.

The England Court of Appeal has upheld the conviction of Kelechukwu Orji, a 48-year-old Nigerian national, and increased his prison sentence. Orji was found guilty of multiple sex offenses at Lewes Crown Court in East Sussex on November 22, 2023.

Orji was convicted of two counts of rape, one count of attempted rape, one count of assault by penetration, and one count of sexual assault. Despite his conviction, Orji fled to Nigeria before sentencing. The trial judge had ordered a pre-sentence report to assess Orji's risk of causing harm through further offenses, but Orji evaded justice by fleeing the country.

After postponing the case, the judge granted Kelechukwu Orji temporary release to arrange his affairs before sentencing. However, Orji failed to appear in court the next day, sparking a search for his whereabouts.

It was later discovered that Orji had fled England on the evening of November 22, 2023, boarding a flight to Nigeria, where he is believed to be hiding. Despite his absence, the court proceeded to sentence Orji on February 21, 2024. He received a total of 32 years in prison, broken down into:

• 9 years for count 4 (rape)

• 5 years for count 7 (attempted rape)

• 3 years for count 8 (sexual assault)

• 5 years for count 9 (assault by penetration)

• 10 years for count 10 (rape)

Although Orji received a total of 32 years in prison, the sentences were set to run concurrently, resulting in a reduced imprisonment term of ten years. However, Solicitor General Robert Courts deemed this sentence too lenient and appealed under section 36 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988.

On June 13, 2024, the appeal court, comprising Lord Justice William Davis, Justice McGowan, and Justice Cockerill, unanimously agreed with the Solicitor General. They increased Orji's sentence from ten to fifteen years, criticizing the initial sentence for not adequately reflecting the severity of his crimes. The court's decision emphasized the need for a more substantial punishment to match the gravity of Orji's offenses.

Before arriving in the UK, AB received a sexually suggestive message from Orji, but she chose to disregard it and accepted the job offer to work as a housekeeper for his family. This decision ultimately led to her being subjected to a prolonged period of s3xual abuse.

The appeal court's ruling provided a disturbing account of the multiple sexual assaults perpetrated by Orji against AB. The detailed description highlighted the severity and extent of the abuse, underscoring the gravity of Orji's crimes and the need for a more substantial sentence to reflect the harm inflicted upon his victim.

The court said, “The first occasion on which AB was r@ped (count 4) occurred when the offender came into her bedroom late at night.”

“He pulled her from her bed and dragged her downstairs. He forced her into the living room, where he made her bend over. AB put up a struggle.

“Eventually, the offender was able to pull down her leggings. He held her from behind while he r@ped her v@ginally. AB told him to stop. The offender ignored her. He ej@culated.

“The offender attempted to rape AB (count 7) shortly after the first incident. AB had come downstairs for something to eat. The offender took hold of AB and threw her to the floor. She was able to get up and run to the toilet.”

The offender pulled her out of the toilet.

He said, “You're ready for me.” For some 15 minutes, he tried to remove her clothing, saying things such as “Have sex with me” and “I want to eat your pussy.”

Eventually, the offender gave up, and AB was able to go to her room.

“The remaining counts reflected a single continuing incident. It began in the kitchen. The offender's wife had gone to work.”

Orji summoned AB to the kitchen to prepare food for him. Upon her arrival, he committed another disturbing act, fondling her br@asts over her clothing (count 8).

Orji then grabbed AB, coercively demanding s3x and disregarding her pleas to stop. Despite her struggles and desperate requests to spare her, he persisted in his assaultive behavior.

“The offender had threatened AB that if she were to tell anybody about what had happened, she would not be safe in Nigeria when she returned home.”

AB confided in her boyfriend in Nigeria about the abuse she was suffering, and in October 2020, she reached out to a support group for Nigerians in the UK, seeking help and guidance.

A concerned member of the support group contacted the police, expressing worries about AB's safety and well-being. The police were provided with the address where AB was residing, which was also the home of the offender, Kelechukwu Orji.

“On 29 October 2020, the police went to the address. They were able to speak to AB, who said that she was in danger because the offender was forcing himself on her. The offender was arrested the next day.”

In an interview, he made no comment to all questions. He was not charged with the offences until September 2022. His case at trial was that any s3xual activity between him and AB was consensual.

As Orji had absconded immediately following his conviction, the appeal court noted that a pre-sentence report was not available for consideration.

Despite the severity of Orji's crimes, the trial judge considered testimonials from seven individuals, including friends, colleagues, and a neighbor, who vouched for his good character. These letters presented a contrasting image of Orji as a devoted family man and a responsible member of society.

The testimonials described Orji as a humble and law-abiding individual, with one friend highlighting his diligence and commitment to his family. This portrayal stood in stark contrast to the disturbing nature of his crimes, highlighting the complexity of Orji's dual identity.

Orji's victim, AB, made a personal statement to the court on 11 January 2024. “She said that the offences and their circumstances meant that she no longer trusted people,” the court quoted her as saying.

“She found it difficult to make friendships. She could not concentrate at college and would become upset for no reason.”

AB struggled to cope with the trauma, experiencing insomnia, flashbacks, and self-blame for the abuse she endured. She even contemplated taking her own life, highlighting the devastating impact of Orji's actions on her mental health.

AB remained in the UK, fearing reprisals from Orji or his family if she returned to Nigeria. She was also estranged from her own family, who had discouraged her from reporting the abuse to the authorities, leaving her feeling isolated and without support.