The Nigerian Bar Association, Ado-Ekiti Branch has sought permission from the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Ekiti State, Dayo Apata SAN to prosecute Gender-Based-Violence cases in the state with particular reference to the case of a young lady who inflicted injury on the manhood of her boyfriend recently in Ado Ekiti.
This is contained in a letter addressed to the Attorney General and signed by its Chairman, Dr. Taiwo Omidoyin.
The Association condemned the rising cases of GBVs in the state especially against men, hence due diligence must be applied in prosecuting such cases so as to serve as deterrent to others and ensure a peaceful society.
The letter reads: “The NBA Ado-Ekiti Branch, through the gender- based violence quick response team, writes to absolutely condemn the recent case of gender-based violence against one Ibrahim Usman which occurred at Irona Area, Ado-Ekiti on the 12th of April, 2025. It was reported that a 20year-old lady, Joy Ikoja, inflicted severe injuries on the male victim, tearing his scrotal sac.
“This is a heinous act that is highly despicable, reprehensible and unacceptable, hence should not go without thorough investigation and immediate prosecution.
“Sir, you will recall that on 3rd -17th March, 2025, the Nigerian Bar Association, Ado-Ekiti Branch embarked on a 14-day sensitisation campaign on stoppage of violence against men in Ekiti State.
“This was an awareness done throughout the state, engaging and alerting all relevant stakeholders and the general public on the rising trend of domestic violence against men in Ekiti State. It is quite worrisome and disheartening that this menace continued on the increase with this new recorded case, barely four (4) weeks after the sensitisation campaign.
“While we are aware that a charge has been filed at the Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti against the Defendant with the offences of conduct likely to cause breach of peace and assault, punishable under Section 181 and Section 186 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021 respectively, it is our unequivocal belief that the act of the Defendant strongly amounts to attempt to murder punishable with life imprisonment under Section 241 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.
“Given the severity of the case, we respectfully request that your office takes over the prosecution of this case or grant us fiat to prosecute the Defendant, this we would gladly do with all sense of diligence and industry required. We believe this would further ensure justice is duly served and the perpetrator is held accountable for her actions, if found guilty. More so, prompt action is essential in sending a strong message that gender-based violence will not be tolerated in Ekiti State and its rampancy must be curbed with all the necessary machinery of the state.
“The Ministry of Justice, under your esteemed leadership, has consistently demonstrated its commitment to upholding justice and curbing criminality in the state, particularly through the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. We are therefore confident that your office would leave no stone unturned in addressing this issue with the urgency it deserved.
“Once again, the Bar is grateful to you for your giant strides in ensuring that the criminal justice system in Ekiti State attains the height of international best practices and we want to formally congratulate you on the successful hosting of the Ekiti State Administration of Criminal Justice Submit, 2025.”
