The International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA Nigeria Uyo branch has condemned the savage assault meted out by Barr. Ekere Ebong on his wife.
FIDA Uyo in a statement signed by its Chairperson, Iquo Abia, Esq., called “on the relevant authority to investigate the case and ensure that justice is served.”
The statement reads:
On Friday, 15th December, 2023 at about 8.00 am, we received a call from Mrs. Ekere (survivor) intimating us of the physical violence meted on her by her husband, Barr. Ekere Ebong.
We immediately accompanied the survivor to the Police Station and the Divisional Police Officer directed that the matter be transferred to the State Police Headquarters.
We have also seen the disturbing video of the incident on the social space. FIDA Uyo Condemns this act of violence and calls on the relevant authority to investigate the case and ensure that justice is served. We express our preparedness to collaborate with the Sexual and Gender Based Violence Response Department, Ministry of Justice and other relevant agencies to ensure that justice is maximally done and manifestly seen to be done.
We also use this opportunity to call on people who have a penchant for inflicting violence on others to be aware of the provisions of the Akwa Ibom State Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, which has been in force since 2020.
Iquo Abia, Esq.
Chairperson
The trending video showed Barr. Ekere Ebong standing over his wife as she lay on the floor. Blood covered the front of her shirt and some of her blood spilled on the floor.
The camera caught Ebong beating up his wife during an argument over a key.
“Give me the key,” he kept saying as he attacked the woman.
It took the intervention of neighbours to stop him from further attacking her.
Neighbours are heard saying that he has been abusing his wife for over 4 years.
A voice is heard saying: “Since when I was living up here, every night he’ll be beating this woman. You no get shame? What kind of lawyer are you?
“No be today. I’ve lived in this compound for four years. When I was living there, every night, he’ll be beating this woman.”
They confronted him for his actions but he got angry at them for interfering and dared one of the men to house his wife.
The husband told the neighbour: “If she’s a woman, let her sleep in your house. If she sleeps in your house. If she sleeps there.”
“You want to take her to your house. Take her to your house,” the husband said threateningly.
The neighbour responded angrily, saying: “You have been doing this thing for over 4 years now. Today will be your last. I’m telling you.”
The neighbour then threatened to hit the husband with a stick (pako).
The neighbour said: “Pako, sir, pako, your life. If you try anything, your life. What’s wrong with you?”
