TheCable

The Lagos state directorate of public prosecution will on February 16 charge 10 suspects in connection with the February 11, 2013 torture of three women at Oba Morufu International Market, Ejigbo.

According to the charge sheet, the suspects are the market leader, Isiaka Waidi, 61; Saheed Adisa, 29; Lateef Tijani, 37; Ahmed Adisa, 65; and Azeez Akinosun,36.

Others are Jimoh Busari, 50; Buhari Yusuf, 2; Abdullahi Harun, 20; and Oloruntoyin Dauda, 46, who is the only female suspect.

They will answer a 19-count charge bordering on conspiracy, attempted murder, sexual assault, malicious administration of poison, obtaining money by false pretence and deprivation of liberty.

The women – Nike Salami, Juliana and Joke Agomo – were allegedly tortured by the suspects for stealing pepper in the market.

They were beaten, stripped and had pepper rubbed on their bodies and in their rpivate parts, who are members of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC).

The suspects are also alleged to have inserted sticks and obnoxious substances into the women’s vagina while the incident was recorded with a mobile phone.

They are also accused of obtaining N50,000 from one Fima Agomo, a relation of the victims, by claiming that the money would be used to repay the traders whose pepper were stolen.

The video of the incident was greeted with outrage when it surfaced on the Internet after a year, leading to calls for the arrest and prosecution of the suspects.

Mohammed Abubbakar, the then inspector-general of police, ordered the federal special anti-robbery squad to take over the investigation, which eventually led to their arrest.