On the Frontline With Boma
A society that tolerates violence against women—especially from those in positions of power risks normalising cruelty in the very institutions meant to uphold justice.
In recent days, two disturbing incidents from different parts of Nigeria have once again drawn national attention to a troubling and persistent problem—violence against women, particularly when perpetrated by men who occupy positions of authority. One occurred within the legislative corridors of the Cross River State House of Assembly, where a lawmaker was accused of brutally assaulting his wife. The other unfolded in Ahoada East, where a young woman who dared to expose deplorable school conditions allegedly became the victim of violent retaliation. Though separated by geography and circumstance, the two incidents share a disturbing common thread: women subjected to brutal treatment by men who should ordinarily represent protection, responsibility, and leadership. What these episodes reveal is not merely individual misconduct but a deeper societal challenge about power, accountability, and respect for human dignity.
Just days ago, the Cross River State House of Assembly suspended one of its members, Mr Ovat Agbor, over allegations that he subjected his wife to severe domestic violence. In a video that spread rapidly across social media, the woman’s face appeared brutally battered, her eyes swollen and her features almost unrecognisable. The injuries portrayed in the footage suggested an act carried out with shocking cruelty, as though the victim was treated not as a human being deserving dignity but as an object to be violently subdued.
The matter was brought before the Assembly during plenary, and the response from lawmakers was swift and unanimous. Members resolved to suspend the accused legislator pending investigation into the allegations. In what observers described as a deeply embarrassing moment for the institution, he was escorted out of the chamber by the Sergeant-at-Arms. Sources indicated that displeasure filled the sitting, with several lawmakers expressing concern that such allegations could stain the reputation of the legislative body.
While the Assembly deserves some credit for responding promptly, the incident itself remains deeply troubling. When a lawmaker—someone entrusted with the responsibility of making laws and safeguarding justice is accused of such brutality, the moral authority of governance itself is called into question.
If the Cross River episode shocked the public, the events surrounding a young woman in Rivers State generated an equally disturbing reaction. For Ogadinma Uchechi, a resident in the Ahoada area, her offence was neither criminal nor violent. She merely used social media to draw attention to a distressing situation affecting school children in her community. She posted images showing dilapidated school structures—roofless classrooms where pupils sat under the mercy of the weather, studying despite rain and strong winds blowing freely through the open structures.
In any responsible society, such civic courage would attract commendation. Citizens who highlight problems affecting public welfare are often seen as partners in development. Yet, what followed in this case reportedly took a darker turn.
Reports indicated that the chairman of the council in Ahoada West, Mr. Eugene Cheta Epelle, allegedly mobilised to the young woman’s residence after the social media post gained public attention. According to accounts circulating widely, his Chief of Staff allegedly assaulted Ogadinma. Images that later emerged showed a woman with bruises across her face, swollen lips, and visible injuries that left her fearing for her life.
Whether every detail of the allegation is eventually proven in court remains for investigators to determine. However, the disturbing similarity between both incidents cannot be ignored. In both cases, women became victims of violence allegedly inflicted by men occupying positions of authority.
The irony is striking. These are men who, by virtue of their positions, should represent protection, responsibility, and restraint. Yet the allegations suggest a troubling pattern where authority becomes a tool for intimidation rather than service.
Domestic violence is not merely a private dispute within a household. It is a serious violation of human rights and a crime under Nigerian law. The Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act clearly criminalises various forms of violence, including physical assault, emotional abuse, intimidation, and other acts that threaten the dignity and safety of individuals.
The law was enacted to protect vulnerable members of society, particularly women and children who have historically borne the brunt of domestic abuse. It provides legal remedies for victims and prescribes penalties for offenders. In principle, therefore, Nigeria already possesses the legal framework required to confront such acts.
The real challenge lies in enforcement.
Many victims of domestic violence remain silent because they fear stigma, retaliation, or the possibility that their complaints will not receive serious attention. When powerful individuals are involved, such fears become even stronger.
Studies indicate that domestic violence remains a pervasive problem in Nigeria, affecting women across all social, economic, and educational backgrounds. According to research by the National Bureau of Statistics, nearly one in three Nigerian women have experienced physical violence at some point in their lives, yet many cases go unreported due to fear, stigma, or distrust in law enforcement. Cultural norms in some communities continue to excuse male aggression or discourage women from speaking out, creating a climate where brutality can persist unchecked. Institutions meant to protect citizens iincluding the police, courts, and political parties often fail to act decisively, especially when high-profile individuals are involved. This institutional weakness emboldens perpetrators, sending a message that power can be wielded without accountability. The combination of entrenched cultural attitudes and weak enforcement makes it imperative for society to act decisively: public awareness campaigns must challenge harmful norms, law enforcement agencies must prioritize swift investigation of complaints, and political parties must hold their members to ethical standards. Without a concerted effort to address these systemic gaps, incidents like those in Cross River and Ahoada will continue to recur, perpetuating cycles of violence that threaten not only individual victims but the moral foundation of leadership in Nigeria.
In many developed societies, the response to domestic violence is swift and uncompromising. In countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada, a single report of spousal assault can trigger immediate police intervention. Suspects are often arrested pending investigation, and courts frequently issue protective orders to shield victims from further harm.
Public officials in those societies have also lost their careers after being found guilty of similar offences. The underlying principle is clear: individuals who cannot respect the dignity of others have no business exercising authority over them.
Nigeria must move decisively in that direction.
The Ahoada West incident also raises broader concerns about the nature of leadership at the local government level. Local government councils were established as the closest tier of governance to the people. With increasing calls for financial autonomy, councils now receive substantial allocations from the Federation Account to implement development projects and improve grassroots welfare.
Yet, many communities still grapple with failing infrastructure, neglected schools, poor healthcare facilities, and lack of basic amenities. Citizens frequently complain that some local government officials appear more interested in luxurious lifestyles than in the responsibilities of governance.
When ordinary citizens raise such concerns, they should not become targets of intimidation.
Constructive criticism is an essential pillar of democracy. Social media has amplified the voices of citizens who would otherwise remain unheard. Rather than perceiving such expressions as threats, public officials should view them as opportunities to identify and address genuine problems.
Leadership requires patience, tolerance, and emotional discipline. It demands the ability to respond to criticism with maturity rather than anger. Anyone who cannot exercise such restraint has little business occupying positions of public trust.
The troubling incidents in Cross River and Ahoada therefore go beyond individual misconduct. They highlight deeper questions about the values guiding leadership in Nigeria today.
Violence against women must never be normalised or excused under any circumstances. A man who raises his hand against a woman whether she is his wife, a citizen demanding accountability, or any vulnerable individual demonstrates not strength but moral weakness.
Women deserve safety in their homes, dignity in their communities, and respect in their interactions with those who wield authority.
The Cross River lawmaker and the Ahoada council chairman may be two individuals, but the issues they represent are much larger. They expose a troubling culture where power sometimes replaces humility, and authority breeds intolerance rather than service. Nigeria cannot progress under such contradictions. Those who occupy positions of trust must demonstrate discipline, empathy, and respect for life. A society that fails to protect its women ultimately fails itself. The time has come for stronger enforcement of the law, louder condemnation of abuse, and zero tolerance for violence—whether in homes, offices, or corridors of power. Women are not punching bags for wounded male pride. They are citizens, mothers, professionals, and partners in nation-building. Their dignity must never again be negotiable.
On the Frontline With Boma is published by The Port Harcourt Telegraph Newspaper authored by the managing editor
