Ondo First lady, social influencer seek justice

A middle-Aged woman, (name withheld), who inflicted ‘Grade-A’ injuries on her houseboy for stealing, has been arrested by the Ondo State Police Command.

The Guardian learnt that the incident occurred at Adebowale area of Akure on Sunday, after his boss caught him stealing meat from her pot.

According to sources in the area, the woman inflicted deep cuts on the minor’s body with sharp object suspected to be razor blade to punish him.

There were over 10 different slashes on the victim’s body, causing him to lose pints of blood. The act was exposed after the gory video went viral on Twitter and other social media platforms, getting the attention of the Wife of the state Governor, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, who sent representatives to follow up the situation.

A popular social media influencer in the state, Yemi Fash, also kept a tab on the development, following the case to the police clinic, where the minor was admitted for treatment, and vowed to get justice for the victim.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Funmilayo Odunlami confirmed the development, adding that the case would be transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for investigation and possible prosecution.

The police, yesterday, arraigned the woman before an Akure Magistrate Court on a five-count charge bothering on attempted murder, child abuse, violence against person, among others.

The Prosecutor, Emmanuel Tanimowo, recounted that the defendant committed the offence on February 6, 2022 at her resident located at Idimango Adebowale, Ondo road, Akure. But the suspect pleaded guilty to count one, four and five, refusing to accept culpability to count three.

Tanimowo said that the crime was reported to the police by a community health worker, Mrs Alice Ayedun, after she saw the victim bleeding, writhing in pains as a result of the mutilation.

“Mrs Ayedun Alice was going to the church when she saw one Sunday Joel crying, with a bloody body and the woman was forced to stop to see what was happening and she saw the defendant beating up the boy at the back of the house.

“She immediately rescued the boy from the woman. The defendant had asked the boy to wash the blood off his body after she used razor blade to cut his body and resulting open injury.

“To rescue the boy from the woman, Ayedun told her that she is a nurse and that she is taking the boy to hospital for treatment. She latter took the boy to Fanibi Police Station to report the matter, which led to the arrest of the defendant.

“At the police station, she confessed to the crime and stated that the boy packed all the meats in her pot of soup. She said immediately the boy saw her he tried to ran away but she held him,” he said.

The prosecutor added that “She later took her to the sitting room where she used the razor blade to cut various part of the boy’s body. The boy was later taken to the police clinic and currently undergoing treatment but still in critical condition.”
Counsel to the defendant, Gbenga Allen, however, appealed to the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendant was a first time offender.

The Magistrate, Mrs O.A Edwin, in her ruling, said the defendant was guilty of count one, four and five and adjourned for sentencing and trial of count three till February 14, 2022.

Magistrate Edwin, however, stated that the court had no jurisdiction to hear count two, which borders on attempted murder. She ordered that the four children of the defendant should be taken to children home for custody.

The Executive Secretary, Agency Against Gender Based Violence, Mrs Bola Joel, while addressing journalists after the court proceedings, stressed that the case would be monitored strictly Joel assured to ensure justice.

“This is a wilful child abuse of a boy being assaulted by a woman. If you see the boy, you will pity him. He’s presently at the hospital, groaning in pains, stitches all over his body.

“The perpetrator has pleaded guilty to the charges before the court. This will send a signal to the public that you are not supposed to abuse or assault any child put under your care. We will continue to monitor case like this to ensure that all our children will be safe anywhere they are.”