Akwa Ibom First Lady, Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel, wife of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State has handed down warning to imprison any man caught beating his wife anywhere in the state.
The Akwa Ibom State First Lady said this at the inauguration of the ONNA Chapter of Eket Senatorial District Women Forum and Empowerment Scheme sponsored by the Family Empowerment and Youth Reorientation Path-initiative (FEYReP), her pet project in collaboration with the forums for Empowerment.
Speaking to the women on issues about gender-based violence, the governor’s wife said that violence against women in the State will now be taken seriously.
Mrs Emmmuel said, “We are against violence on women in Akwa Ibom State. If you do it and I have evidence against you, I will commit you to prison”.
“There are many women who have been beaten to death by their husbands. If you kill your wife, who will take care of your children?, The First Lady asked in surprise.
Although the Governor’s wife acknowledges that some women a times provoke their husbands to anger, she maintained that such provocation should not be a reason for wife battery.
Speaking further, Mrs Emmanuel, who noted that innocent and vulnerable children are many times violated sexually by neighbours or relatives, cautioned mothers not to unnecessarily hand over their female children to the care of untrusted relatives or neighbors.
She also warned that any woman found concealing information about her husband who sexually molest a child would be arrested, prosecuted and imprisoned.
She explained that no fewer than seven fathers are currently awaiting trial for alleged rape and defilement of their daughters in Akwa Ibom State.
“As I speak, we have about seven fathers in Police cell awaiting trial for defiling their daughters. If you know you husband is that kind of a person, please protect your daughters.
“Some women are fond of covering up their husbands when they have sexually molested their children. If you are caught, you will go to jail”, she added.
