Rights Group Asks CP Jimoh To Call Police Officers To Order Over  Mishandling Of Domestic Violence & Abuses 

P.M.EXPRESS reports that Comrade Iche also stated that Police officers should take those cases seriously because of its impact on the society and not prioritizing bail bonds over thorough investigations and Court proceedings.

He specifically mentioned the Ejigbo Police Division, Isheri Police Division, and Zone D Command, Mushin, of mishandling of domestic violence cases and called for the need by the Police Boss to redress the matter in the State.

Comrade Iche stated, “The issue of domestic violence cases being truncated by some IPOs and DPOs is of serious concern, especially as such cases should be charged to Court with evidence to back up the victims’ claims. It is appalling that reports from different advocates show how little consideration some divisional police heads give to settling cases of DV; they would rather call parties and intimidate victims into submission or possible withdrawal of the case to cut short the activities of human rights rather than sue for justice”.

“What justice will a survivor get if her only hope is to see that the perpetrator is apprehended and charged according to the law? It is of great concern that in recent times, the Police, who should shield the vulnerable, are susceptible to condoning crime (an abuser) rather than aiding a survivor in seeking justice.”

“The human rights advocate intervenes in situations of domestic violence to mediate and then send such cases to the Police with detailed information to be addressed. But when decisions are being made, human rights groups are usually sidelined. Information has it that the Police are usually more interested in the bail bond.”

Comrade Iche specifically mentioned a case of a tailor and her apprentice, where the apprentice was physically and mentally abused and that of a woman battered by her husband. In both cases, he alleged that the Police allowed the parties to settle without thorough investigation or reprimand.

“In the case of a tailor and her apprentice, he stated that the apprentice was made to kneel on a busy street that commercial buses and other vehicles use as a passageway after several instances of physical and mental abuse by her boss. An advocate who saw the dire situation rescued the young lady and was haunted for doing so. He reported to the appropriate authority (the Police) and had expected a thorough reprimand, only for the boss to be released after some hours on the account that the parties had settled. No thorough investigation or reprimand. Meanwhile, the tailor who bailed herself out had gone home to continue the torture and possible threat to the victim. As of now, no one knows if the victim had not suffered more in the hands of her oppressor, as there was no prompt follow-up. This is just one case amongst many that has been truncated rather than addressed.”

“Another woman, who was battered by her husband, was reported to the Police in Isheri Police Division as well. The Police once again sidelined the human rights advocate who reported the case and cornered the woman into settling with her husband despite the serious injuries she sustained; the woman was beaten for several hours before morning. The Police instead told the woman to forgive her husband and didn’t insist on the abuser ensuring the medical bill incurred for treatment of her injuries was paid; moreover, she was treated poorly for not paying the bail bond. Meanwhile, her husband bailed himself out and boasted he knows many Police officers and that she had just wasted her time reporting the beating simply because all the Police need is what comes with his bail bond. This is the main reason domestic violence continues.”

“Perpetrators are charged to carry on with their abusive actions; these abusers now feel confident that all they need to do is bail themselves out of the crime and continue with battering, hence no serious charges. This is due to laxity on the part of the Police; even with glaring evidence, the aforementioned stations show more interest in the bail condition than in directing such cases to court.”

The human rights body uses personal funds to run cases on humanitarian grounds to ensure justice is served. But it is unfortunate that after spending funds to get perpetrators to the Police, it all ends in either as an unfinished case or simply withdrawn sidelining human rights advocates so as to truncate justice by ensuring the victim has no choice other than to settle with the perpetrator instead of leading the perpetrator to court for a proper and final redress.

“These actions by IPOs and DPOs will rather make some persons stay silent if abused rather than report, for there is no justice accorded to domestic violence in the hands of some officers of the law.”

“Domestic violence cases are on the increase due to the way the law enforcers’ are handling issues; the more tenacity implored in cases such as this, the more reduced the occurrences.” Iche stated.