Police arrest MKO’s wife, maid for assaulting female officer

Prof. Zainab Duke-Abiola, a widow of Chief M.K.O Abiola, and her domestic staff, Rebecca Enechido, have been arrested by the police for allegedly beating a female officer, Inspector Teju Moses, after refusing to engage in chores at her house.

The third suspect, a male, who was said to be involved in the assault, is currently on the run to prevent arrest after the incident in Abuja.

The arrest of Duke-Abiola, a legal practitioner and human rights activist, and her staff was approved by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Alkali Baba, after preliminary investigations showed that the female police officer, who was attached to the Don, was assaulted for refusing to go against the ethics of her profession.
Baba, who condemned the assault through a statement released by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Thursday, described the treatment from the Don and her maid to the female inspector as grievous.

The IGP directed that the female activist and the domestic staff should be prosecuted immediately in accordance with the law, in order to serve as a deterrent to others across the country.
Baba further tasked the investigative team to ensure that the fleeing suspect is arrested and made to face the wrath of the law.

The Police boss has oalso rdered the withdrawal of all police personnel attached to the female activist after the attack.
According to the statement, Zainab Duke, an Mbaise-born activist, grievously assaulted her orderly in the company of some accomplices on Tuesday, 20th September, 2022 at her residence in Garki, Abuja, due to the refusal of the orderly to breach professional ethics by carrying out menial and domestic chores at her house.
“It is pertinent to clarify that the suspect, Prof. Zainab, who name-drops the IGP, his family members, and other officers in the top hierarchy of the Force has no acquaintance with the police in any form as erroneously peddled on social media.

“The Inspector-General of Police, who similarly ordered the withdrawal of all police personnel attached to the Professor, expressed consternation at the fact that an individual who claims to be an advocate for human rights could stoop so low as to violate the rights of another individual, a police officer tasked with ensuring her protection,” the statement said.