Rivers Police arrest Councillor for allegedly brutalizing mother of Six

*The Councillor said he can kill me, that I am a witch, even when my husband and I trained him up to University–Victim

BY IBRAHIM BAKARE

Police detectives under the humanrights desk in the Rivers State Police Command have  arrested the leader of the Etche legislative assembly in the Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Blackson Nwanyawu, accused  brutalizing a mother of Six alleged to being a witch.

The battered woman, who said her name is Love Nwanyawu, narrated to Journalists that the Councillor who is her husband’s younger brother, along with two others, beat her to a pulp on the allegation that she was a witch and has been bringing misfortunes to the family.

Badly brutalized photos of Mrs Love Nwanyawu allegedly inflicted on her by a Councillor in Etche Local Government Council of Rivers State.

With a badly battered  body amidst sobs Love, who had a swollen face lacerations and bruises on head, stated that the trouble started when she travelled to her husband’s hometown in Omualu community, Etche and overheard the Councillor, his sister and a male relative, shouting on top of their voices in an intense argument.

The Victim narrated that Blackson and other persons  then accused her of witchcraft and vowed to deal with her. I was surprised. The next thing I saw was that the three of them came at me, saying I was disturbing them and that I was a witch. They said anytime I come back, the house would not rest. I said how “They pounced on on me and gave me a beating of my life. Just look at me. The plan was to eliminate me. After beating me and locking me up, one went outside, brought a chair and hit it on my head twice. When he ( Councillor ) saw blood gushing out, he drove off . Others also left. With the blood, I shouted for help. They all said their brother is a Councillor and Leader of Etche legislative Assembly and nothing will happen. “I am calling for people to help me to seek justice. My husband trained him from secondary school to University. He lived with me for years when my children were small. I paid his last school fees and he promised that when he graduated, he would ensure my children did not suffer. “I was asking him, is this the promise you gave me? Look at how he made me. He wanted to send me to an early grave ,” Love said.

Since the incident, the husband had been ill and was traumatized by the incident.

In his reaction, the accused Councillor, the Councillor, in a telephone interview aired on a radio station ( Nigeria Info 92 .3 FM, Port Harcourt ) and monitored by our correspondent, claimed that his brother’s wife insulted him .“The woman keeps insulting me every day when I have not had any issue with her. My father called me; I say I am not regretting my action. I have tolerated more ( than) I can bear, ” he stated.

Blackson boasted that the Victim has been making allegations against his hard earned reputation in the Social Media and that he would seek redress in Court for remedies.

He promised to honour a Police invitation on the matter and make himself available for Investigation. “There is no point talking too much because these things happen when you are in public office”.

In a press statement, by SP Nnamdi Omoni, the spokesman for the state police command, confirmed receipt of the complaint, saying the matter is being investigated.

Omoni said, “The report got to us and we have initiated action. A team has been put in place the suspect is with us to answer to the allegations against him. I am the officer in charge of the human rights desk , so, I am investigating the matter .”

Meanwhile, the humanrights advocacy groups are miffed at the brutality and bodily harm meted out to the woman. The women are calling for justice for the woman.

Prince Wiro, a Port Harcourt based Humanrights Activist enjoined the Police to ensure that the woman gets Justice.
“It is inconceivable that a woman can be so beaten and battered because they feel that they are above the law. This is a clear case of humanrights abuse all those involved should be prosecuted as a deterrent that nobody is above the law”.

Also the International Federation of Female Lawyers, FIDA, the Rivers State branch and members of the Rivers State Civil Society Organizations said they are closely monitoring the case.