The family of Oridota Oladale, who was saved from 25 years of domestic abuse by her husband, has written to thank Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for coming to her aid.
Dated October 6, 2015, the latter was sent through the Coordinator, Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT), Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, and copied to the Divisional Police Officer, Isokoko Police Station, Agege.
A copy of the letter sighted by Qed.ng reads: “On behalf of the children and relatives of Mrs. Oridota Oladele, we write to appreciate your kind intervention through the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT), the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the media into the plight of Mrs. Oridota Oladele, who before now has been a victim of domestic violence in the hands of her husband, Mr. Oridota Oladele.
“Your intervention has restored normalcy to her home.
“We also appreciate your financial support through the office of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT).
“God bless you sir.”
It was jointly signed by the victim herself, Oridota Oluwakayode for the children and Ademuyiwa Femi Peters for the relatives.
DSVRT had in October contacted the 63-year-old bread winner of her home to enlighten her on her rights, support services at her disposal and ascertain what she wanted out of the situation.
“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,” Mrs. Vivour-Adeniyi said.
According to her, 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 and a Protection Order gotten against him.
“The Ministry of Health, also a member of DSVRT was informed of the case and are working on taking up her treatment free of charge as the victim is in need of constant medical attention and care,” she said.
Vivour-Adeniyi 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.
