Seek judicial reprieve from an abusive marriage so as to stay alive--AWLA Ogun State urges Nigerian women

Lagos, April 14, 2021

The Ogun State Coordinator of the African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) Mrs Ebere Obiora, on Wednesday, urged women to seek timely judicial seperation from an abusive marriage, as to wade off domestic violences occasioning death.

Obiora spoke in reaction to the recent demise of a female lawyer, Adaeze Ikpeama, who untill her death, was an active member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

It would be recalled that the NBA Women's Forum (NBAWF) had on April 13, issued a statement condemning the alleged murder of Ikpeama by her husband on April 12.

The forum had said it was distressed to learn that the abuse by the deceased's husband had allegedly gone on over the years, adding that it is painful to know that its late colleague, an advocate, who holds the brief of others had her life ended in such gruesome circumstances.

NBAWF, had consequently, demanded from the relevant security agencies that the circumstances leading to the death of its colleague be thoroughly investigated and the culprit prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

Reacting to the demise of Ikpeama, Obiora described domestic violence and spousal homicide as fast becoming a worrisome trend in society.

"Awla laments over the way women in abusive marriages indulge in third parties advice and choose to remain in the domestic war front

"Most women are so scared of the word divorce with a lot of them not even knowing what judicial speration as an order of court means and pathetically, lawyers are now also victims of this ignorance.

"A couple can be judicially sperated by the court in such abusive circumstances so as to preserve both couple and keep tempers down; so, women must take this advantage

""We, therefore, urge persons going through all forms of domestic violence or gender based violence, to view their circumstances personally and take necessary steps, rather than adhering to pieces of advice of family, friends, and religious leaders

"She that wears the shoes of domestic violence knows exactly where it pinches," she said

The coordinator said that when a marriage has broken down irretrievably, then the love that serves as a bond is dead and buried, while hate reigns supreme and rages like a bad fire

According to her, the situation as it were, has become very fearful and quite worrisome, and all women under such circumstances must now strive to take proactive steps in order to remain alive.

The NBAWF had also urged female lawyers to speak out on domestic violence issues using the platform of the NBAWF, so that such issues can be handled proactively.

It said that the NBAWF had put in place mechanisms and platforms to help female lawyers protect themselves in such situations.

The death of Ikpeama is just one out of so many other episodes of spousal homicides recorded in Nigeria.