4th March, 2016
Cyriacus Izuekwe
Dr Joe Okey-Odumakin and members of the women Arise Against Domestic violence on Friday protested at the premises of the kirikiri Magistrate’s court over the battering of a housewife by her husband in Lagos State, western Nigeria.
The group stormed the court in solidarity with the victim, Gloria Izuakor, who was brutally attacked and seriously injured by her husband, Jude.
They demanded for justice over the alleged assault on Glora and to campaign to discourage violence against women in their husbands’ homes.
They carried different placards with inscriptions condemning domestic violence against women in Nigeria.
Some of the inscriptions are: “We are married by men not monsters”, “who would attack a woman like this?” “homes are not boxing ring” etc.”
Jude Izuakor was arrested after he inflicted injuries on her face and other parts of her body.
He was first charged before the presiding Magistrate, Mr G. L. Hotepo with assault occasioning harm under the criminal code.
He was granted bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.
However, he was remanded in prison custody pending when he would fulfill the bail condition and the matter was adjourned for trial.
At the resumed hearing, counsel to Jude Izuakor pleaded with the court for long adjournment to enable the parties settle the matter out of court.
The court however adjourned till 23 March, 2016 for report on the settlement.
Odumakin while speaking on why they protested in court, said women have been subjected to slavery and serious assault in their various homes hence the need to campaign against it.
She said Gloria had suffered several abuses and when they intervened, Jude did not show any remorse. Rather, she was boasting that nothing would happen.
On the possibility of resolving the matter out of court, she said they are not against settlement and added that Jude later showed remorse when he was arrested and arraigned and promised not to subject Gloria into slavery.
Gloria said for the past 10 years she married Jude, she had been subjected to assault and she endured because of their three children.
On the day the incident happened, Gloria narrated that she was cleaning their house when he had visitor and asked her to leave the sitting room.
She said before she could leave, he attacked her and used opener and mop stick hit her in the face.
She said she fainted and was rushed to a hospital where doctors revived her.
She said while she was in the hospital, her husband only came there to mock her and boasted that nothing would happen to him.