Leading women’s rights campaign organisation, Women Arise, and child’s right NGO, CEE-HOPE recently led a team of campaigners Ebute-Metta magistrate court to seek justice for Lagos-based engineer, Lawrence Idoko allegedly murdered by his wife, Folashade Idoko.
The 33-year-old pipeline engineer with Greater Inspection and Industrial Services at Sango-Otta was reportedly stabbed to death at his residence at 20, Kosoko Street, Ayetoro area of Lagos State on August 20, 2017 for allegedly receiving a text message from a girlfriend.
Neighbours including the landlord of the deceased, Gani Akanni, told the court that the victim tolerated several physical attacks from his wife who was also known for fighting other neighbours and vandalising properties at will.
Akanni also explained how he had to give the couple several notices of eviction owing to the woman’s alleged violent tendencies.
President of Women Arise, Dr. Joe Okei Odumakin, while speaking to newsmen outside the courtroom said, “For men experiencing domestic violence, silence is no longer golden. Speak up before it is too late. Violence against men in matrimonial setups is on the increase and we must end this menace.”
“We believe that injustice to one is injustice to all. We believe that just like women, men can also be victims of domestic violence. We stand for #JusticeForLawrence and we have no doubt that justice will be served in this case. Again, we believe that it will serve as a deterrence to persons who perpetuate gender-based violence be it men or women” CEE-HOPE’s Betty Abah added.
The case has however been adjourned to December 4, 2017 to allow for legal advice from the Lagos State Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) while the accused remains in prison custody.
