The police have arrested an Abuja-based lawyer and human rights activist, Professor Zainab Duke Abiola, for allegedly assaulting her female police orderly, Inspector Teju…
The police have arrested an Abuja-based lawyer and human rights activist, Professor Zainab Duke Abiola, for allegedly assaulting her female police orderly, Inspector Teju Moses.
The professor, who was arrested alongside her housemaid, Rebecca Enechido, reportedly assaulted the orderly for refusing to do some home chores she assigned to her.
In a video clip that went viral on Wednesday, the officer is seen in uniform bleeding, seated on the ground and asking to be taken to the hospital for medical attention.
Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Muyiwa Adejobi, who confirmed the arrest in a press release on Thursday, stated that the police were going after a fleeing domestic employee complicit in the assault.
He said the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, strongly condemned the assault and directed that the suspects ought to be prosecuted.
READ ALSO
Lagos court sentences lawyer to 5 years imprisonment for drug trafficking
2023 Elections: INEC Is Compromised – Deji Adeyanju
He said, “The IGP strongly condemned the grievous assault of a female Police Officer, Inspector Teju Moses, by her principal who’s a legal practitioner and human rights activist, Prof. Zainab Duke Abiola and her domestic workers comprising the housemaid, one Rebecca Enechido and a male suspect currently at large.
“Zainab Duke, an Mbaise born activist, grievously assaulted her orderly in company of some accomplices on Tuesday 20th September, 2022 at her residence in Garki, Abuja, because of the refusal of the orderly to breach skilled ethics by carrying out menial and domestic chores at her house.
“The IGP has directed the express prosecution of the arrested suspects who’re at the moment in police custody, as the preliminary investigation reveals overwhelming proof of culpability on the part of the Professor and her domestic workers.
“The IGP has equally tasked the investigative team to make sure that the fleeing suspect is arrested and made to face the wrath of the regulation. It’s pertinent to clarify that the suspect, Prof. Zainab, who name-drops the IGP, his family members, and other officers in the top hierarchy of the Force has no acquaintance with the police in any type as erroneously peddled on social media.”
Adejobi said the IGP had ordered the withdrawal of all police personnel attached to the professor and expressed disappointment that a person who claims to be an advocate for human rights may violate the rights of another individual.
In the meantime, Nigerians have condemned the don’s action on Twitter. Below are a few of such tweets:
@tola_gizzy said, “I think the IGP should enforce posting of police to non state functionaries .”
@Dozie203: She and her maids that did that thing should get the deserving punishment. There is still the VAPP act is place to be enforced. That is totally unacceptable”
@yinkus772003: “We law abiding citizens condemn this act in totality. However, it’s time police stop being security guards to all and sundry including yéyébrities! Let them get private safety!”
@Oluwealthy: “They must pay for what they did to the woman police.”
@Ilo_MonsurbJ: “I hope and pray the so called Professor would be severely punished inside the ambit of the law so as to serve as deterrent to other public figures…”
@mooosaic: “This behaviour is unacceptable. No matter what, she must be treated with respect as a police officer. Members of the public have lost respect for the @PoliceNG as a result of the continual abuse of energy by some parts of Nig Police. As the saying goes respect is reciprocal”
@OdogwuNaNKwerre: “This is bad.. I totally condemn this wickedness on this officer.”