AKWA-Ibom state Governor Umo Eno has vowed to ensure justice for a woman who was battered by her husband in a viral video.
The husband – a 55-year-old lawyer Ekeere Ebong – brutalised his wife and stripped her naked in the viral video.
The ICIR reports that he has been arrested by the Police. The governor vowed he would be made to face the wrath of the law.
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In a statement by his chief press secretary (CPS) on Monday, December 18, the governor said the state and its people stood against any form of gender-based violence and would condemn it in the strongest terms wherever it occurred.
He described the lawyer’s action as ‘despicable.’
“The government will assist the lady who was so dehumanised by a man who otherwise should be the one to protect her and ensure that justice is served in line with the provisions of the law against gender-based violence (GBV).
“It is heartwarming to note that an order for the arrest of the culprit given last night has been successfully executed,” said the governor.
He said Ebong was arrested on Monday and was in Police custody, where he would be charged in court.
The governor called on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to institute disciplinary measures against the lawyer, adding that the accused action was against the values and ethics of the legal profession.
Meanwhile, the Akwa Ibom state Police command confirmed Ebong’s arrest in a statement on Monday, December 18.
The command said in a statement that Ebong, a resident of the Ewet Housing Estate in Uyo, “assaulted and dehumanised his wife”, as seen in a viral video.
According to the statement, signed by the command’s public relations officer, Macdon Odiko, the victim of the incident had “various grievous injuries”.
“Ebong is a habitual perpetrator of violent acts against his wife. He has been that way over the years.
“The Commissioner of Police, Mr Olatoye Durosinmi, acting on the advice of the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Uju Kennedy, ordered the arrest of the suspect to prevent murder and breakdown of law and order,” the command stated.
Odiko promised that the Police would charge the lawyer in charge soon after the investigation.
A reporter with the ICIR
A Journalist with a niche for quality and a promoter of good governance