The Lagos State House of Assembly has commissioned a
committee to investigate the case of two women who
were stripped naked, beaten and tortured by unknown
men in a market located in Ejigbo Local Government Area
of Lagos state for allegedly stealing pepper.
Recently, a video showing the torturous experience two
women were subjected to by suspected touts surfaced
online and caused uproar in the public domain.
Human Rights Activist, Joe Okei Odumakin, who is at
the fore-front of the struggle to ensure that justice is
delivered and the criminals brought to book told
Channels Television on Tuesday while speaking on
Sunrise Daily, that parties concerned in the case,
includes the police, activists, community leaders, the
chairman of the local government, market men and
women, noting that they will be invited to give their
account of the incident.
According to Mrs Odumakin, the video, showing how at
least four bottles of grounded pepper as well as broken
sticks were forced into their private parts, was brought
to the attention of the group on December 7 th . She
however noted that intelligence reports reveal that the
incident happened 10 months ago.
The Chairman, Ejigbo Local Council Development Area,
Mr Kehinde Bamigbetan issued a statement that the
incident occurred in February. He also disclosed that
the older victim is the wife of a palm wine tapper while
the younger victim is her stepdaughter.
Odumakin who described the act as “brazen, bestial
and barbaric” agonized with the victims who she said
will have to live with such dehumanization all their lives,
“but the only thing that will give them succour is when
they see justice.”
Efforts to bring the culprits to book have proved
unsuccessful as residents in the area have maintained a
‘criminal silence’ out of fear.
However, Mrs Odumakin said the rise in such acts
indicates the increase of impunity and called for a
change in the mindset of the people who may consider
jungle justice.
Although the group is yet to solicit the cooperation of
the police, it has petitioned the Lagos State House of
Assembly to ensure justice is given to the two female
victims who are now being referred to as the ‘Ejigbo 2.’
“Honestly, impunity is on the rise and these people will
be walking about free. Apart from walking about free,
they would still be perpetuating this heinous act. So
more than ever, we need to smoke them out of their
holes,” she said.
She appealed to members of the community to volunteer
information to help unravel the identity of the criminals.
Citizens with useful information are to call or send text
messages to 08037223313, 08034090205

www.channelstv.com/home/2013/12/24/lsha-sets-up-committee-on-unlawful-torture-of-women-in-ejigbo/

Committee? I wonder who much was budgeted for this. Anyways, i must commend the resolve of the government to bring justice for the two women who were dehumanized in such a barbaric manner.