Women’s Rights Groups Seek Justice For Engineer Allegedly Murdered By Wife

Leading women’s rights campaign organisations, Women Arise and CEE-HOPE have led a team of campaigners to the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ebute-Metta, Lagos to seek justice for Lagos-based engineer, Lawrence Idoko, who was allegedly murdered by wife, Folashade Idoko.

Lawrence, 33, was allegedly stabbed to death by his wife at their residence at 20, Kosoko Street, Ayetoro area of Lagos State on August 20, 2017 for allegedly receiving a text message from a girlfriend.

Neighbours, including the landlord of the deceased, Chief Gani Akanni, testified of how the victim had endured physical attacks severally from his wife said to also known for fighting other neighbours and vandalizing properties at will.

Chief Akanni also explained how he had issued the couple several notice of eviction owing to the woman’s violent tendencies.

President of Women Arise, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, while speaking to newsmen outside the courtroom said, “For men experiencing domestic violence, silence is no longer golden, speak up before it is too late. Violence against men in matrimonial setups is on the increase and we must end this menace”

Adding her voice, CEE-HOPE’s Betty Abah said; “We believe that injustice to one is injustice to all. We believe that just like women, men can also be victims of domestic violence. We stand for #JusticeForLawrence and we have no doubt that justice will be served in this case. Again, we believe that it will serve as a deterrence to persons who perpetuate gender -based violence be it men or women.”

P.M.EXPRESS gathered that the case has been adjourned to December 4, 2017 to allow for legal advice from the Lagos State Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) while the accused remains in prison custody.