It’s another evening and Barr Emeka Ugwuonye has a word for women who are bullied or intimidated by their husbands.
What to do:
We contacted the man who locked his wife out: guess what he told us.
This is happening in Abeokuta.
We sent the lady to the nearest police station. The police acted promptly by sending three officers to follow the lady to their house. They got there. The man was not there and the door was locked. The police and the woman went back to the station. The police called the man on phone. The man lied to them by saying he was out of town and would come back on Tuesday. The police were stuck at that point. The woman came back to DPA.
I, personally, called the man. He answered with a confident voice. I introduce myself and DPA. I asked him why he locked his wife out. He told me that he had the right to lock her out. In his exact words, he said: “I have the right.” My voice changed after hearing that.
“Did you just tell me you had the right to lock your wife out of the home?” I said to him.
I continued: “You don’t have such right. And now let me tell you what we have the right to do to you.” I proceeded to explain to him how he would be arrested and prosecuted for domestic violence. I told him that police are already on their way to get him.
After I finished, he said: “In that case, I’m going to report myself to the police.” He didn’t want to be embarrassed in public. He is now on his way to submit himself to the police. I quickly called the police again and we all agreed that he is a threat to the woman and should be arrested once seen. In the meantime, I advised the woman to find a carpenter and break the locks to gain entrance to the house.
To all women, if your husband locks you out, and you feel safe enough to do it, just find a carpenter or welder and break the lock. You have the right to do so. It is not a crime to break into your own house.