The family of a woman brutalised by the police in Ekiti State, Mrs. Toyin Adeleye, has met with the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Abdullahi Chafe, on how to ensure peace.
A source at the meeting told the Nigerian Tribune that the meeting was attended by the mother-in-law of the brutalised woman, who was said to be a member of the Ewi-in-Council.
Her mother-in-law, it was gathered, had insisted in brokering peace in the dispute as, according to the source, “peace is the paramount thing and that is what we want in Ado Ekiti.”
The source explained that although at the meeting, Mrs Adeyeye was told how she was wrong in the dispute, but that the CP nonetheless apologized to her.
It said “We were there. So also were the family of the girl, especially the mother-in-law that led the team, and who happens to be a member of the Ewi-in -council. They said all they wanted was peace.”
Reacting to the development, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) team leader in the matter, Mrs. Scholastica Ojo, said that FIDA could not cry more than the bereaved in the matter, noting that “if Adeyeye wants to press charges, we shall be there for her.”
Ojo said “We were waiting for our client to instruct us on what to do. At the end of the meeting, if the complainant still needs the services of FIDA, we are there.
“Since the police have not arraigned her, we cannot cry more than the bereaved. The members of Ew-in-Councili said they wanted peace and they insisted that the matter be buried, so that’s where we are as responsible citizens of the society.”
Meanwhile, the Ekiti State governor, Mr Peter Ayodele Fayose, has vowed that manhandling of women in any guise will no longer be condoned in the state.
He said no responsible man should beat a woman or manhandle or brutalise her for whatever reason, adding that it was unlawful for any policeman to raise his hand against a woman.
According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr Idowu Adelusi, Fayose made the vow during an interview shortly before the commencement of the state’s “Meet Your Governor” programme, March edition, on Sunday night.
Responding to a question from journalists, the governor said he heard about the nursing mother, Mrs Toyin Adeyeye, who was allegedly brutalized by a policeman at a checkpoint in the state capital on Friday, adding that he was actually coming from a meeting with the state commissioner of police over the matter.
“It is highly irresponsible for any man to brutalise a woman for any reason. The law that forbids violence against women is still operative in this state. And I can never allow any form of brutality of women under my watch as governor in Ekiti State. Women are even described as the weaker vessel. As such even if you marry her, does that deny her of her rights?
“It is particularly sad that such a report was coming barely week after we celebrated International Women’s Day in an unprecedented style in this state. I have already ordered investigation into the matter. Anybody found culpable in the case will face the court of law.
“I am also using this opportunity to sound a note of warning to policemen who take people’s vehicle particulars, put them under their armpits and demand for bribe. Such cannot be allowed any longer in Ekiti State.
“We will get to the root of the matter and make justice to prevail,” he said.
and then