Police arraign couple for torture and sexual assault of maid

The Lagos State Police Command has arraigned a tyre dealer, Mr. Chigozie Ezeofor, and his wife, Mrs. Isioma Ezeofor, for alleged physical and sexual abuse of their maid, Blessing.

The couple were arraigned separately at the Ikeja Magistrate’s Court on one count each of assault occasioning harm and sexual assault by penetration.

It was gathered that 19-year-old Blessing had been living with the couple at their house in the Isheri Osun area for about six months.

She was reported to have been tortured many times by Isioma, while the husband, Chigozie, allegedly had anal sex with her.

The situation reached a climax on Sunday when the woman reportedly caught her husband caressing the victim at their home.

Isioma, in a fit of rage, was alleged to have poured hot water on Blessing, scalding her in the process.

The victim’s condition was said to have caught the attention of a resident, who reported the matter to the police.

The couple were subsequently arrested and detained at the gender section of the state police command, Ikeja.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Chike Oti, had said the suspects would be charged to court at the end of investigations.

Chigozie was charged with sexual assault by penetration, an offence punishable under Section 161 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011.

The wife, Isioma, was arraigned for assault occasioning harm. The offence was said to be punishable under Section 171 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011.

They were said to have been admitted to bail in the sum of N500,000 each with two sureties each in like sum.

The case was adjourned till February 2, 2018.

The police spokesperson, Oti, who confirmed the development, said the state Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi, had asked that the matter be pursued to a logical end.