We are dismayed to learn of the gruesome
murder case involving a wife, Mrs. Yewande
Oyediran who allegedly killed her husband, Mr.
Oyelowo Oyediran during one instance of
domestic argument involving both of them.
It is indeed very saddening that the argument
only ended up with termination of a life - a life!
No subject of argument is worth taking the life
of another for. No, murder is no acceptable
response in a disagreement!
Women Arise, as a human rights organization,
we feel this case throws up a disturbing
depiction of the female gender and therefore
want to call for justice.
In Nigeria, as well as other countries of the
world, murder is a grievous crime and is
punishable by law. The law must take its course
in this case. We applaud the matter is now in
court we have therefore begun to monitor it.
Although there are insinuations that the alleged
perpetrator would be treated with preferences
and justice could be hindered due to her
profession as a lawyer, as a matter of
professional solidarity. We, however, trust that
this insinuation cannot be true and want to
dismiss it as what it is –insinuation. The best
solidarity is the one for justice. If utmost
solidarity was betrayed by a wife in a
matrimonial union, such that she arbitrarily
terminated the life of her husband according to
the allegation, such could literally not value and
therefore should not be accorded solidarity of
profession.
We call on all reasonable and well meaning
lawyers to only take sides with objectivity and
justice. As humans, every of our actions today
are making a draft of history for tomorrow. I
believe every lawyer would rather be on the
good side of history by supporting justice.
Sentiments would certainly deny justice and
empower impunity, but this is a rather symbolic
case and is strongly sensitive to allow such
emotions come to the surface. It is readily too
open and its outcome will make a strong
statement on all of us; the judiciary; the bar and
the rest of us in the society. This is a crucial
time to call a spade by its proper name and
avoid whipping up any sentiments. Any outcome
to the contrary of justice would be very
dangerous to humanity and highly indicting of
our society. We can't afford to put justice to
death; our society will totally falter if this
happens.
We are against discriminations as what is sauce
for the goose is sauce for the gander! Because
crime is not gender peculiar, justice cannot be
discriminatory or partial. We do not only stand
for women when injustice is perpetrated against
the gender, we stand for justice for all humans.
Justice is justice for all, male and female alike.
We take this moment to condole the family and
relatives of the deceased husband, Late Oyelowo
Oyediran. We mourn with you as his death is so
unnatural due to the evident contextual violence
wrapping it.
Domestic violence is on a shocking increase, and
this case #Justice4Lowo is testament case to
this effect.
We implore couples to always take things easy
with each other, especially during heated
arguments. Moment arguments begin to evoke
strong emotions; they also begin to assume
dangerous dimensions.
Violence kills, but can be avoided. It is not
about who speaks the loudest or acts the most,
but about who maturely keeps quiet for the
other and lets their maturity handle the situation.
This recipe is not only for the male to be the
one acting mature, but both. Mature acting
saves the violence, and ultimately saves the
lives.
We speak strongly against Domestic Violence
and urge everyone to desist from it. We demand
proper investigation in this case and ask that
justice be done to make an example of
deterrence. We know that this type of violence
resulting in murder happens severally but are
not reported or taken up for justice. This is
however an example case that we must make a
lesson out of.
So, we say #Justice4Lowo!
Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin
President
Women Arise for Change Initiative
Website: www.womenarise.org.ng ,
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