Mrs. Opeyemi Omoyemi, was arraigned in court on Sunday in Akure, for inflicting multiple body injuries on her 12-year-old house help, Joel.
Omoyemi, a widow, appeared before a Magistrate Court in Ondo State’s capital on a five-count charge involving attempted murder, child abuse, and the prohibition of violence against people, among other things.
She was accused of using a stick and a razor blade to inflict multiple injuries on the body of the housekeeper who she accused of stealing meat from the pot.
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According to Police Prosecutor Emmanuel Tanimowo, the defendant committed the crime on February 6, 2022, at her residence located at Idimango Adewale axis of Ondo road, Akure.
Tanimowo told the court that the crime was reported to the police by a community health officer, Mrs. Alice Ayedun, after she saw the boy writhing in pain with blood flowing from various parts of his body.
“Mrs. Ayedun Alice was on her way to church one Sunday when she saw Joel crying, with a pool of blood on his body, and the woman was forced to branch to see what was going on, and she saw the defendant beating up the boy at the back of the house.”
“She rushed over to save the boy from the woman. The defendant had asked the boy to wash the blood off his body after she had cut his body with a razor blade and caused open injury.
“In order to save the boy from the woman, Ayedun informed her that she is a nurse and that she is transporting the boy to a hospital for treatment.”
“The woman later took the boy to the Fanibi police station to report the incident, which resulted in the defendant’s arrest.”
“At the police station, she confessed to the crime and stated that the boy had packed all of the meats in her soup pot.”
“She said that as soon as the boy saw him, he tried to flee, but she caught him.”
She later took her to the sitting room, where she cut various parts of the boy’s body with the razor blade.
“The boy was later taken to the police clinic and is currently being treated but remains in critical condition.”
Omoyemi pleaded guilty to three of the charges and not guilty to the fourth.
Catherine Ogunjebi, representing the International Federation of Women Lawyers, urged the court to remand the defendant in a correctional facility.
However, the defendant’s defense counsel, Gbenga Allen, asked the Magistrate to temper justice with mercy because he was a first-time offender.
After hearing the counsels’ prayers, the Chief Magistrate, Mrs. O.A Edwin, adjourned sentencing and trial until February 14.
Edwin also ordered that the defendant’s children be taken to a children’s home for custody.
Following the court proceedings, the Executive Secretary of the Agency Against Gender-Based Violence, Bola Joel, stated that the case will be closely monitored in order to serve as a deterrent to others.
“This is willful child abuse,” Joel said. The young man was assaulted by a woman.
If you see the boy, you will feel sorry for him.
He’s currently in the hospital, groaning in pain and sporting stitches all over his body.
“The perpetrator has entered a guilty plea to the charges before the court.”
This sends a message to the public that you are not permitted to abuse or assault any child placed in your care.
“We will continue to monitor cases like this to ensure that all of our children are safe anywhere,” she added.
