Emmanuel Thomas, Lagos
October 04, 2015 – Mrs. Oridota Oladele, a 63 year old woman and bread winner of her home, who has been severely battered by her husband for 25 years has stoped official of the lagos State Government from arresting and prosecuting her assailant.
The woman who was contacted by officials of the statement government following a tip-off from a family member said all she wanted was for government officials to talk to her husband to stop abusing her.
Coordinator, Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT), Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi said the state government intervene to stop further abuse of the woman.
“The Director of Citizens’ Rights, Mrs Omotilewa Ibirogba, with other team members met with her, and she insisted that all she required was officials of government to talk to her husband to desist from acts of physical, psychological, emotional and verbal abuses which are all crimes contrary to the Prevention Against Domestic Violence Law, 2007”.
“A referral letter was subsequently done to Isokoko Police Station which is a representative of the Police Force in DSVRT and houses a Family Support Unit. Some members of the team also accompanied the victim to the station where the matter was duly reported.
“Upon her making her report, police officers in company of DSVRT members went to the couple’s place of residence for the purpose of transporting the husband to the station for questioning and cautioning”, Vivour-Adeniyi said.
She said a Memorandum of Undertaking was signed at the station by the victim’s husband that he would desist from domestic violence or he would be arrested.
She said the Ministry of Health has agreed to take care of medical treatment of the woman who has been battered by her husband in the last 25 years.
She said The Ben Bruce Foundation, one of DSVRT’s partners upon hearing Mrs. Oladele’s situation pledged to support her as her means of livelihood has been affected by her predicament.
The DSVRT Coordinator added that the progress of the couple will continue to be monitored by the team and the police.
She reiterated her call to family members, neighbors and concerned citizens to assist victims of domestic violence by reporting to the police station or the DSVRT by calling 112 or 08137960048.
“We also use this medium to restate that the Lagos State Government has a zero tolerance for domestic and sexual violence and therefore urges victims to come out, speak up and get the desired assistance before it is too late”, she said.
