Ini Billie, Uyo
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command said it has arrested one Barr. Ekere Sunday Ebong for wife battery.
The Police said the 55-year-old lawyer was arrested following a viral video where the suspect was seen assaulting his wife and causing her bodily injury.
In the video, recorded at night, the suspect was seen assaulting his wife who was half dressed with just a pant and a blouse.
The suspect repeatedly hit his wife demanding keys and despite appeals from neighbours who cautioned the man, he kept beating her.
However, the neighbours finally rescued the battered woman who was bleeding and gave her a wrapper to cover herself, while her husband locked her out of their house.
One of the neighbours was heard asking the man why he consistently beats the wife every night and told the woman to come and stay in his house after the husband locked her out.
Speaking on the arrest, Police Public Relations Officer, SP Odiko Macdon, said in a press release on Monday in Uyo that the suspect was a habitual wife beater and would be charged to court as soon as the investigation is concluded on the matter.
“In a video that went viral, the suspect assaulted his wife, and dehumanised her, leading to various grievous injuries. He is a known habitual perpetrator of violent acts against his wife over the years.
“As an Agency saddled with the protection of lives and property and maintenance of law and order, we cannot allow Barrister Ebong to continue this flagrant abuse of human rights, hence, the Commissioner of Police, CP Olatoye Durosinmi ordered the arrest of the suspect to prevent murder and breakdown of law and order.
“The CP has warned perpetrators of violent crimes in the State to desist forthwith while urging family members to endeavour to resolve disputes amicably rather than resorting to violent attacks,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, (NAWOJ) Akwa Ibom State Chapter has condemned the assault on Mrs Kufre Ebong.
The group said it was unfortunate and disappointing that the incident happened a few days after the advocacy on Gender-based violence.
In a press release signed by NAWOJ Chairperson, Comrade Nsikak Okon, and Secretary, Comrade Patience John described Barr. Ekere Ebong as a disappointment to his profession and family, called for his prosecution.
“The action of Barr. Ekere Ebong, who is a lawyer by profession and should know what the law states on such an untoward incident a clear disappointment to himself is, his family and his career as a practising lawyer.
“At the level of his profession, Barr. Ekere Ebong should be vested with the advocacy against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and the VAPP law that prohibits such acts as signed and domesticated in Akwa Ibom State.
“Akwa Ibom State NAWOJ, therefore, calls on law enforcement agencies and other relevant bodies including FIDA to ensure justice is done and bring the culprit to face the full weight of the law without any slight of pardon to serve as a deterrent to other beings within that fold.
“We commend members of the public especially the neighbours for exposing this act of brutish character and appeal for support towards the course of protecting women from such persons,” NAWOJ stated.