… As CHRAN condemns the assault by the legal practitioner, the wife beater and abuser
In a typical case of a bailor becoming a suspect, a 55-year-old legal practitioner in Akwa Ibom State has been arrested by policemen in the state over suspected case of assault against his wife.
In a viral picture on social media seen by Straightnews, one Barr. Ekere Sunday Ebong is seen in handcuffs being escorted to police station for interrogation and court of law.
Section 356(5) of the Nigerian Criminal Code Act states that a person will be said to have committed ‘Serious Assault’ when such a person – “Assaults, any person on account of any act done by him in the execution of any duty imposed on him by law; is guilty of a felony and liable to imprisonment for three years.”
In a press release on Monday, Odiko MacDon confirmed ‘‘The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested one Barr Ekere Sunday Ebong, 55 years of Plot 40 L line Ewet Housing estate.’’
Also read: Alleged wife’s assault: Akwa Ibom Lawyer enters Troubled waters
Akwa Ibom Police Public Relations Officer recapped ‘‘In a video that went viral, the suspect assaulted his wife, dehumanised her, leading to various grievous injuries. He is a known habitual perpetrator of violent acts against his wife over the years.”
Assaulted wife
The Superintendent of Police pointed out ‘‘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, acting on the advice of the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Uju Kennedy 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.
The suspect
‘‘Barr Sunday Ebong will have his day in court as soon as investigation is concluded.’’
CHRAN condemns the act
Meanwhile, the Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN) Sunday condemned the reported assault by the legal practitioner on his wife and every act of gender-based violence no matter the level of provocation.
A press release by CHRAN Chairman, Otuekong Franklyn Isong and Secretary, Comrade (Barr.) Christopher Ekpo, Secretary, said ‘‘The attention of the Center has been drawn to a trending video on the social media portraying a man, said to be an Uyo, Akwa Ibom State-based legal practitioner, assaulting a woman, said to be his wife.
‘‘The Center calls on law enforcement agencies in Akwa Ibom State to investigate the incident portrayed in the said video with a view to ascertaining culpability and urges government to sustain measures aimed at stemming the tide of gender-based violence in the State,’’ the statement added.
