A Lagos-based saxophonist, Sampson Udo, popularly known as King Sax, has been arrested by operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Lagos, after being accused of raping two sisters in separate incidents.
The first incident reportedly occurred on October 6, when Destiny Ameh (not her real name), a 27-year-old event organiser from Akwa Ibom, invited Udo to an event she held at Elegushi Beach, Lagos.
According to her younger sister, Grace, Udo lured Destiny to his parked car under the pretext of wanting to catch up. Once inside, he allegedly locked the doors and forcefully had carnal knowledge of her.
Destiny, said to have been traumatised by the incident, returned to Akwa Ibom without filing a complaint. Two weeks later, she opened up to her sister, who confronted Udo about the incident. Udo reportedly claimed the act was consensual, but stopped taking her calls when questioned further.
Grace later took to social media to expose him, prompting Udo to issue a public denial and threaten legal action.
Following the public post, Grace was invited by the police to the State CID, Panti, for interrogation on October 30. She said four male officers handled the questioning and allegedly mocked both her and her sister.
During the interrogation, Udo and his lawyer allegedly demanded ₦15 million and a public apology in two national newspapers as conditions to drop a defamation threat. Grace said she agreed to delete her post but refused the financial demand.
She was reportedly detained for two days and released only after paying ₦450,000 for bail. Days later, Udo allegedly reduced his demand to ₦7 million and threatened to sue her if she failed to pay ₦2 million by a specified deadline.
Second Alleged Assault
Grace stated that after one of her visits to the station, Udo offered to drop her off. She initially declined but later accepted since her lawyer was also in the car.
According to her, Udo later made inappropriate advances and subsequently contacted her, saying he was willing to drop the case if she “gave him what he wanted.” When she went to see him, he allegedly attacked her, tore her gown, and raped her.
Grace said she had previously recorded phone conversations in which Udo made suggestive comments about being interested in sisters. She also captured part of the second assault on her device and fled the scene half-naked, with a waiting Uber driver who witnessed the situation taking her to the police station.
Udo has since been arrested and remanded pending arraignment. The police also refunded the ₦450,000 paid for Grace’s bail.
Activists and legal advocates are reportedly following the case to ensure proper prosecution and to prevent any attempt at cover-up or out-of-court settlement.
The case has reignited public concern over how sexual assault cases are handled in Nigeria and the frequent victimisation of complainants in such sensitive matters.
