Prince Daniel Okereke, 37, elder brother of actresshas been arrested & facing trial for rape after he attacked a UNILAG student in his home, tying her up with the help of his security guard, whipping her with belts and then raping her. Stephanie has reacted to the reports, saying her brother is the rapist and the media should let her be.
More women have also come out to to share their experience of how Daniel raped them. Read them below
Stephanie’s statement:
“I am distraught and devastated to hear of the recent allegation of rape brought against a relative of mine, Daniel Okereke (my brother). While it is a very difficult time for me, and my family; I feel the need to make clear my position, lest there be any doubt. Rape is rape, regardless of who the face of the accused is.
Indeed, the irony is not lost on me. I have spent my lifelong career advocating and living my conviction that women around the world should be able to live free of violence, sexual harassment or any form of abuse against their persons.
This conviction led me to be involved in numerous initiatives combating violence against women in several countries including the U.S, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
The conviction also led me to place much of my energy on my work with Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF), a passion that dates back to my time at the University of Calabar.
As a student, I heard a story about young girls who had been forced into early marriage and were suffering the negative and embarrassing effects of VVF. The story stayed in my consciousness and drove me, for years, to seek ways to raise awareness on the condition; leading to my work with a team of dedicated doctors to carry out repair surgeries for VVF victims across the country; and my self-produced, soon to be released movie, ‘DRY.’
So, again, it is indeed heart breaking for me to receive and deal with news alleging a family member of mine is an alleged perpetrator of sexual violence against a woman. I am devastated.This case is now in Nigeria’s criminal justice system as the accused awaits arraignment. I have also encouraged and assured the alleged victim of my stance against rape and applaud her for her bravery to upset the culture of silence, in Nigeria; even as I accord deference and patiently wait for the criminal justice system to determine the guilt or innocence of my brother.
For Nigerian press and blogs; I call on you to please report this case in an ethical manner. I am a married woman living my life. The alleged transgression of my relative does not make it mine. The focus should be the impact of rape on the alleged victim, and resources for other alleged victims, not me. Some members of the press and blogs have turned me into the accuser; using my name for sensational headlines and putting my images, exclusively, in their stories. This is a form of victimization of me as a woman, its unethical and extremely hurtful. I am not the alleged accused.I therefore please ask all bloggers and the media who have placed my pictures and name to this story to refrain from further using me to sensationalise this story. I thank my fans, and all well-wishers for your continued support and ask for your continued prayers.
God bless.
Also read the women’s stories below
Daniel is really a rapist. I was a victim, he drives a black prado jeep and he is disgustingly fat. I didn’t speak out cuz I took it as ‘shit happens’. He lives in one crazy house with tenants in Mary land,he stays upstairs, he claims to be in d entertainment industry, after forcefully havin sex with me, he then said ‘i’ll want u to be my darling’. Ughh. Like who says that?.this isn’t a lie because I can describe every part of his room, he has a chandelier in his room, he keeps his belts at d left side of his bed, he has like 7 or more sunshades placed on his mirror stand. And his bed is largeee. I won’t give too much details of my ordeal cuz of shame. I’m glad sm1 spoke up! I hope he rots in prison for 10 yrs with his fat face and body. Btw he met me in unilag too. Worst night of my life on earth.
Another one…
Because I am married now with kids, I will like to remain anonymous. I lost my virginity to this beast at the age of 11+ to him and his friends. They raped me until I passed out so right now I don’t even know how many of them did it. He is the brother to our famous actress Stephanie Linus. Big rapist he is. We used to live close to each other in Asaba and we were very close to the family. I can tell you for sure, he is a habitual rapist. It’s a problem for him. He is a beast. He has such a quiet nature, no one believed me when I told them. Keep me as anonymous please.
And another one
My respect to the UNILAG undergraduate for speaking out. I am a victim too but I didn’t tell anyone because I was ashamed. Mine happened in 2010 when I was a student of UNILAG. I’d even gone to his house ready to spend the night but after he became verbally abusive and disrespectful I decided to leave but he wouldn’t let me. He forced himself on me twice that day with little resistance from me because I saw no use in fighting him off. It was the worst experience of my life. This man needs to be locked up. And he’s actually Stephanie’s older brother, not cousin.
I hope these women will come forward to testify against him