Lagos Decries Increasing Spate of Domestic Violence, Killings

• Vows to prosecute Odibi for alleged murder of her husband
Akinwale Akintunde
The Lagos State Government has expressed concerned over the spate of increasing domestic violence in the state, vowing to prosecute Mrs. Udeme Otike Idibie, for allegedly murdering her lawyer husband, Symphorosa recently at their residence at Diamond Estate, Ajah.

The state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji
Kazeem, disclosed this yesterday, while briefing the newsmen at Ministry of Justice, Alausa, Ikeja.
Kazeem said the issue of domestic violence calls for concern because in most cases it results to fatal death of spouse.

While revealing that the office of the Director of Public Prosecution has established a prima facie case against the suspect, Odibi, the attorney general disclosed she would soon be charged to court for prosecution on murder.

According to Kazeem, facts available revealed that Idibi subsequent to stabbing her husband, also mutilated his corpse by cutting the genitals.
He charged Lagosians to desists from act of violence, noting that anybody found culpable would be made to face the law.

“The Lagos government wishes to express dismay at the rising rate of domestic violence in the state. Only months ago, a Danish national allegedly killed his wife and child in Lagos State. That couple allegedly had a history of domestic violence which culminated in the unfortunate murder of Zainab Ali-Nielsen and her child, Petra Nielsen.
“The trial of Mrs. Udeme Otike Odibi will commence as sooon as the case is assigned to a court by the honorable Chief Judge. This office will ensure expeditious trial of this matter?

“Only last week, the national dailies report yet another case of a lover killing his live-in lover. The good citizens of Lagos are enjoined to fulfill their roles as compulsory reporters by ensuring that any case of domestic violence is immediately report to the Police, Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) or any other relevant authority to avoid unnecessary loss of lives,” he stated.

The attorney-general, who is also the Chairman of the DSVRT, urged residents to report any case of violence in their area by dialing a short code 6820 or 08137960048.

“The DSVRT commissioned a research on  May 15, 2018 on domestic violence and mortality amongst intimate partners. We hope data received from the research will help us to understand the pattern of incidents of domestic violence, the link between domestic violence and fatalities and how domestic violence can be curbed,” Kazeem