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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested a lawyer, Ekere Ebong, who was filmed assaulting his wife on a street around their residence in Uyo.
The assaulted woman wore only her underwear and had a bloodied face in the viral video.
The command spokesman, Odiko Macdon, in a statement on Monday, said that 55-year-old Ebong was arrested at his Ewet Housing Estate residence, in Uyo.
“The suspect assaulted his wife, and dehumanised her, leading to various grievous injuries. He is a known habitual perpetrator of violent acts against his wife over the years.
“As an agency saddled with the protection of lives and property and maintenance of law and order, we cannot allow Ebong to continue this flagrant abuse of human rights, hence, the Commissioner of Police, Olatoye Durosinmi ordered the arrest of the suspect to prevent murder and breakdown of law and order,” Macdon said.
He added that the lawyer would be arraigned as soon as investigation is concluded.
Assault on women alien to Akwa Ibom culture– Governor
Meanwhile, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has condemned the assault on the woman.
in a statement made available to newsmen on Monday by his spokesperson, Ekerete Udoh, Eno said the state government has zero-tolerance for gender-based violence
“The government and people of Akwa Ibom State condemn this grave act of gender-based violence in the strongest possible terms.
“Government will assist the lady who was so dehumanised by a man who otherwise should be the one to protect her and ensure that justice is served in line with the provisions of the law against gender-based violence,” the governor said.
“Mr Ebong’s outrageous and egregious display of violence is totally alien to our (Akwa Ibom) culture,” he said.
Lawyer will be charged even if wife doesn’t support— Minister
Also, Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Ohanenye, has vowed that Ebong would be prosecuted, whether the wife wants that to happen or not.
Ohanenye, in a post on her X account said justice will have its way.
“Even if the woman decides she doesn’t want her husband to be sued, due to family pressure, the man must face the law as justice will have its way,” the minister said.
NBA reacts
In the same vein, the national leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has directed it branch Uyo to investigate the incident and ensure that the lawyer appear before a disciplinary committee of the association.
A statement by the NBA National Secretary, Adesina Adegbite, urged its Uyo branch to get to the root of the matter and ensure justice is served.