Ogun State Police Command in conjunction with a Non-Governmental Organisation, Women Arise For Change Initiative, led by Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin recently arrested a woman, named Okanlawon Omowunmi, in Arepo Area for maltreating her housemaids (names withheld).
In a statement by the state’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, stated that the neighbours of Owowunmi, who alerted the NGO, said the battering of the housemaids had been going on for several years.
It said, “Omowunmi, 29, and mother of one, was fond of beating, chaining and subjecting all her housemaids to hard labour and psychological trauma which is a criminal offence.”
Efforts of the NGO and the Police detectives attached to Ibafo Divisional Headquarters, saw the arrest of Omowunmi, and subsequent rescue of the two young girls.
Omowunmi has since been charged to the Owode Magistrate Court on two counts of child labour and child abuse.
She has however been granted bail in the sum of N50,000, and surety with Tax Payment plus property in Ogun State.
The case was adjourned to July 21, 2014.
The Commissioner of Police Ogun state CP Ikemefuna Okoye, while calling on members of the community to expose such similar acts, commended the NGO for its support.
He said, “We are committed to working with all relevant groups, individuals and governmental agencies to stop child abuse, child labour, domestic violence and human trafficking in the state.”