PERSONS involved in last month’s beating death of a 70-year old resident of Omuo-Ekiti, in the Ekiti East Local Government of the southwestern Nigerian state of Ekiti will soon face the long arm of the law
if the state government’s call for the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the horrible crime is heeded.
The victim, late Mrs. Rebecca Adewunmi, died of injuries sustained from the severe beatings dealt her on June 30 by youths and some other members of the community who alleged that she was a witch who was responsible for the plight of another member of the community whose identity still remains unknown.
State commissioner for woman affairs, social development and gender empowerment, Mrs. Fola Richie-Adewusi, lamented the unfortunate incident in a statement made over the weekend in Ado-Ekiti, describing the action as not only criminal and uncivilized but one which flouted the established laws of the Ekiti State.
“It is sad that the poor old woman was killed, based on an alleged dream by a little girl that she had a hand in the illness of her stepson,” said Mrs. Adewusi, who bemoaned the fact that such could happen in a civilized era.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Social Development and Gender Empowerment, Mrs. Fola Richie-Adewusi, who condemned the act, described it as “criminal, barbaric and a contravention of laid down laws in Ekiti State”.
In a statement in Ado Ekiti at the weekend, Mrs. Richie-Adewusi regretted that such an unfortunate incident could still happen in this modern age.
Revealing that the late septuagenarian was killed for allegedly using supernatural powers to afflict her own stepson, the women affairs commissioner went on to criticize the police for not finding anyone to hold for questioning about the case.
The police had been petitioned by Mrs. Grace Smith, a daughter of the deceased, to arrest and prosecute all those involved in the death, after she was tortured and beaten for her alleged crimes.
“It is clear that the perpetrators of this dastardly act have contravened the law,” said Commissioner Richie-Adewusi, adding that “they should be made to face the full wrath of the law. This act is condemnable and we hope the law enforcement agents will live up to their responsibility and bring all the perpetrators to book.”
The commissioner revealed that Ekiti State has in its statutes a Gender-Based Violence Prohibition Bill, signed into law last year by the state governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, which she hopes will be used in the prosecution of alleged culprits in the matter.