Joy Anyim
A 16-year-old maid, Halimat Sodiq, has been tortured to death for allegedly stealing N2,000 from her boss, Mrs. Shade Moke, alias Mama popular, at No. 2, Odusanya Street in Bariga.
It was leant that the 41-year-old Moke, who had accused the teenager of stealing from her, had contracted three men, John Okpara, Isaac Gboyelade, and one Akinseye, to beat up Halimat, claiming she was notorious for the act.
Halimat allegedly slumped while been punched and tortured by the men, who were later found to be paid thugs.
On noticing she was unconscious, Moke and her three accomplice rushed the girl to a private hospital, but they were referred to Gbagada General Hospital. She, however, died but she could get medical help.
In a bid to cover up their mess, the suspects had smuggled the body of the deceased to Atan Cemetery where she was secretly buried.
The matter was, however, reported at the Bariga Police Division, Lagos State Police command, and the four suspects were arrested for the crime.
The suspects who denied been responsible for Halimat’s murder said she had epilepsy, and died from same ailment.
Confirming the arrest of the suspects, the Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, Elkana Bala, said the Lagos Commissioner of Police had ordered the matter be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Yaba.
Bala in a statement issued on Subay said, “The Bariga Police Station, On Saturday, May 9, 2020 at 11:30a.m received an information that Shade Moke conspired with three others on April 29, to kill one Halimat Sodiq, over an allegation of stealing. The victim is said to be a house help to Shade Moke. She was alleged of stealing N2000 from her madam which she denied.
“That the madam invited the remaining three suspects who tortured the girl to death.
“They buried her secretly at Atan cemetery Lagos, so as to conceal the murder. The four suspects were arrested but they denied the allegations.
“They, however, admitted slapping the girl for denying that she stole the money. They claimed that the girl went into convulsion after drinking water.
“They said the maid took her to three different hospitals before she eventually died. That the girl was buried by her parents not the suspects.
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“The parents were also contacted for their statements. The Commissioner of Police Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu, has ordered the immediate transfer of the case to SCIID, Yaba for discreet investigation and diligent prosecution. The suspects will soon be charged to Court.”
While there are reports that the parents of the deceased may have been paid not to pursue a case against the suspects, human rights groups are said to have taken interest in the matter, demanding for justice.
Reacting to the said crime, a non-profit organisation, Advocates Children and Vulnerable Persons Network, expressed shock over the incident.
The group alleged that Mrs. Moke might have bribed the deceased person’s parents to prevent her and the three men from being prosecuted.
According to the manager of the group, Mr. Ebenezer Omejilile, “The mother of the late Halimat was confirmed to have shown up at the station, the alleged Shade Moke the instructor of the beating called her on phone to inform her about the incident and how she was brought to the station.
“She has pleaded with the mother of the deceased to give her more cash on the matter (inducement) so the poor mother of the late Halimat is saying that she didn’t want to institute any case against the suspects.
“Though she was given some money when her child died the suspect wants to renew the cash to shut her up. Poverty is eating her up.”
