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DOMESTIC MURDER OF WOMEN IN NIGERIA Project Alert on Violence Against Women strongly condemns the gruesome murder of Dr (Mrs) Nnalu Chukwudebelu in her matrimonial home in Enugu recently and calls for thorough investigation and prosecution of the culprits of this heinous offence. Dr (Mrs) Chukwudebelu, a retired Director of Planning with the Finance Ministry in Anambra State, and recently appointed by President Olusegun Obasanjo, as a member of the Anti-Corruption Commission, was found battered to death in her 7 Ukwa Street residence at Independence Layout, Enugu on July 24, 2000. Autopsy report revealed that the deceased had broken ribs, bulging eyes, bruises all over her body and had suffered internal bleeding. On July 20, 2000 (four days before her death), Dr (Mrs) Chukwudebelu had complained to her lawyer Mr Peter Eze of Eze, Dimude, Eze & Co, that she had been having some marital problems recently. As a result of the problems, she was afraid for her life which was being threatened in her matrimonial home by her husband, Professor Wilfred Chukwudebelu and his two sisters living with them. The next day, July 21, 2000, Dr (Mrs) Chukwudebelu in the company of two lawyers from Mr Eze’s chambers, went to Ogui Police Station from where they were referred to the office of the State Police Commissioner. There they saw Police Commissioner Idris Mohammed who after listening to Dr Chukwudebelu, asked her to come back on July 25, 2000. However Dr (Mrs) Chukwudebelu was killed on July 24, 2000. Her husband who was charged with the murder of his wife, was released on bail by a magistrate court despite the fact that Section 73 of the criminal code stipulates that only the high court can grant bail in a murder case. Project Alert is indeed deeply concerned about the increasing rate in reported cases of domestic violence and homicide involving women in Nigeria. In the last three months, there has been over twenty (20) media reports of women murdered in their homes by people known to them or people they have had intimate relationship with (husbands, boyfriends). This unfortunate trend and acts of violence against women, can not be allowed to continue. We therefore call on the Inspector-general of Police, Alhaji Musiliu Smith to order his men to thoroughly investigate the various cases of domestic murder of women, so that the culprits whosoever they are, face the full wrath of the law. We also call for the enactment of specific laws to deal with the increasing rate of domestic violence in Nigeria. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN SHOULD CEASE TO BE TRIVIALISED. Josephine Effah-Chukwuma Executive Director
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Executive Lawlessness and the Death of a Female Youth CorperProject Alert on Violence Against Women strongly condemns the recent act of executive lawlessness, which resulted in the death of a 26 year old female youth corper, Odunola Hannah Alli. Late Odunola Alli was felled by a stray bullet allegedly fired by a police escort in a convoy believed to be that the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele. It is indeed sad that Odunola had to die at the hands of those who are suppose to protect her (the police) and care for her welfare and that of other millions of Nigerians (the executive arm of government). Despite the fact that the Federal Government has warned against the use of siren by governors, deputy governors and other governmental functionaries, this continues to be the case in Lagos. Apart from blowing the siren, police escorts in the convoy of these functionaries are often seen pointing their guns menacingly at innocent Nigerians all in a bid to clear the road for whoever or whatever they are carrying. They drive recklessly and sometimes bash the cars of other road users without stopping. Thus it was inevitable that one day this form of executive lawlessness would result in the death of a young girl, standing by the side of the road, waiting for a taxi. The particular policeman who committed this criminal offence should be identified, dismissed from the force and made to face murder charge. Also if as alleged, the policeman was in the convoy of the Deputy-Governor, Senator Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele should explain why she encourages her police escorts to use their guns to clear the road for her. No one is above the law. The least we expect in a democratic government is that the rule of law will be adhered to by everyone and every arm of government. This includes the executive arm of government. We therefore call on the governor of Lagos State, Lagos State House of Assembly and the Lagos State Police Command to thoroughly investigate the matter and make sure that the culprit is punished. We also call on the Lagos State government to stop the indiscriminate use of siren and reckless driving by police escorts on Lagos roads. Without this executive lawlessness, Odunola Hannah Alli, would have been alive today. JOSEPHINE EFFAH-CHUKWUMA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ...
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