The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in Ebonyi has condemned the dehumanisation of a woman, Mrs Ifeoma Onovo, for allegedly poisoning her neighbour.
Mr Christopher Okorie, NHRC Coordinator in the state, condemned the act describing it as “wickedness” to mankind.
Okorie encouraged people not to take laws into their hands in anything, but follow the rule of law.
Onovo, popularly known as “Mama Garbon” a native of Isu community in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi narrated her ordeal in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abakaliki.
Onovo, a mother of a five-year-old boy, said she was accused and beaten up sometime in March by a youth group in the area for an offence she did not commit.
She said she was consequently chased out of her residence with her belongings.
“Actually, I was having quarrels with my neighbour until she got ill.
“ I never knew the extent of her illness until I started hearing rumours that people are pointing at me of being responsible for the ailment.
Onovo said a group of youths invaded her residence at Mgbanaeze-Isu and forced her to follow them.
“They said that I must go and say sorry to my neighbour, who was sick, which I refused.
“I asked them, why I should say sorry to somebody that accused me of causing her illness, that she should be the one to say sorry to me.
“As a result, they dragged and beat me out of my residence with my baby without mercy.
“I want the government and the police to help and assist me and my little baby,” she said
The NHRC boss said the commission had started its investigations on the matter.
“We have seen and watched the video clip.
“We shall write to the police, the commissioner of women affairs, and the office of the wife of the Governor to fish out the culprits for necessary legal actions.
“It’s so unfortunate that we keep getting such dehumanising cases against women from the said community.
“In all, it is highly condemnable to hand out jungle justice to any citizen irrespective of sex, gender and religion,” Okorie said.
When contacted, DSP Joshua Ukandu, Acting Spokesman of the Police Command in the state, said the command was yet to receive an official report from the victim or her family. (NAN)
