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Nigeria: Sex Scandal - Magistrate Strips Cousin in Public
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Leadership (Abuja)
17 November 2007
Posted to the web 18 November 2007
Stanley Nkwocha
A female chief magistrate yesterday went berserk at the Federal Staff Hospital in Garki II, Abuja. She physically assaulted her 15-year-old cousin, Larai, stripping her naked and inflicting other bodily harm on her.
The judge, who was later identified as Mrs. Zainab Bashiru, was angry with her cousin for allegedly sleeping with her husband and attempting to destroy her marriage.
Mrs. Bashiru, who stormed the premises of the hospital in an official navy blue Kia vehicle with registration number FJ61CT, was also furious with another lady, whom she dragged along by the clothes and accused her of shielding Larai.
According to the Niger State-born judge, married to a Nasarawa State hubby, Larai was a "wicked devil who wants to break my home, but she will not".
Apparently unable to control her emotions, the judge made frantic phone calls at the hospital premises and two police officers, later forced their way into the hospital, defied caution from other securitymen, and seize the badly battered Larai.
LEADERSHIP Weekend investigation revealed that trouble had started about a week ago when one of the maids serving the judge told the judge that Larai was having a sexual relationship with "Oga" (the judge's husband).
Finding that difficult to believe, Mrs Bashiru was said to have set a trap for her husband and Larai to confirm the allegation. When her trap didn't seem to work, the judge let loose her canons, ordering her orderly to handcuff the teen girl, before allegedly beating her to a pulp, a move which caused the girl to confess to the act. LEADERSHIP Weekend saw Larai with a swollen face and battered lips inside the hospital.
Not wanting her husband to see Larai in such condition, the judge was said to have arranged for her to pass the night at her younger sister's friend's place (the lady whose body she later scratched). This incident was said to have happened on Thursday. It was on Friday morning that the lady in whose custody Larai was kept, on seeing the condition of the little girl, decided to bring her to the Federal Staff Hospital for treatment.
Mrs. Bashiru's orderly allegedly told her of the lady's action, and the judge called her and confirmed the hospital she had taken Larai to. It was on arrival at the hospital that the judge lost control, attacking both the lady and Larai and attempting to strip them in her rage, even as she accused the lady of attempting to "make a big scandal of the case".
LEADERSHIP Weekend investigation further revealed that the judge had planned to take the teenager back to her village in Niger State; they are cousins. The judge brought Larai to Abuja, and paid her school fees as she helped with household chores.
The chief admin officer of the Federal Staff hospital, Garki, Dr Igwilo, who commented on the issue said it was a family issue that was not handled appropriately. She said the hospital had treated the girl's wounds and that her health was not in any danger.
Larai who spoke to an Abuja-based lawyer, Barrister Chima Ejekwolu, admitted to having had sex with the judge's husband twice, against her will. She said she could not voice out her resentment for fear of her aunt (the judge).
In a chat with LEADERSHIP Weekend, Barr. Ejekwolu said this case must be given the due consideration and attention it deserves, as it has shifted from being just a family issue to a judicial one. He said it would be most unfair if the harsh treatment visited on the minor is left unheard.
"The little girl, just 15 years old, has undergone two injustices, sexually and assault-wise, by a judge who is supposed to provide justice. It is my humble opinion and submission that the full course of the law should take its natural course; that I am committed to pursuing," he said.
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As at the time of going to press, Larai was said to have left the hospital, just as officials of the Legal Aid Council were seen at the premises of the hospital.
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