DPP charges 10 for alleged torture of Ejigbo women

THE Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) in Lagos State has stated that it would, on February 16, charge 10 suspects in connection with the February 11, 2013 torture of three women at Oba Morufu International Market, Ejigbo.

   According to the charge sheet, the suspects are the market leader, Isiaka Waidi, 61; Saheed Adisa, 29; Lateef Tijani, 37; Ahmed Adisa, 65; and Azeez Akinosun, 36. 

  Others are Jimoh Busari, 50; Buhari Yusuf, 2; Abdullahi Harun, 20; and Oloruntoyin Dauda, 46, who is the only female suspect.

   The accused will answer a 19-count charge bordering on conspiracy, attempted murder, sexual assault, malicious administration of poison, obtaining money by false pretense and deprivation of liberty.

   The women – Nike Salami, Juliana and Joke Agomo – were allegedly tortured by the suspects for stealing pepper in the market. They were beaten, stripped and had pepper rubbed on their bodies and in their private parts by members of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC).

   The video of the incident was greeted with outrage when it surfaced on the Internet after a year, leading to calls for the arrest of the suspects. 

 The suspects were also alleged to have inserted sticks and obnoxious substances into the women’s vagina while the incident was recorded with a mobile phone.

   They were also accused of obtaining N50,000 from one Fima Agomo, a relation of the victims, by claiming that the money would be used to repay the traders whose pepper were stolen.

   Former Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, had ordered the federal special anti-robbery squad to take over the investigation, which eventually led to their arrest.