Outcry over a Woman's Inhumanity

DANGWA DANJUMA

Following intense investigation and reports by BREKETE FAMILY a flagship radio programme on Human Rights Radio and Television station focusing on human rights abuse, on how Deborah Babaji Longs, a personal assistant to Mrs Mariam Ahmodu Ali, spent three days in a dog’s cage without food or water, the Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested the wife of former People’s Democratic Party National Chairman and Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Col. Ahmodu Ali (rtd).

The story of Deborah Babaji Longs, who worked as Mariam’s personal assistant, featured on Human Rights Radio and Television aka ‘Berekete Family’ on Saturday March 26, 2022 following a report of her alleged imprisonment by Mariam Ahmodu Ali.

Narrating her ordeal, Deborah told Brekete Family under oath that Col. Ahmodou Ali, his two daughters and a son-inlaw witnessed the life threatening humiliation and blows meted out to her by Mrs Ali in the middle of their living room in their Abuja residence.

Deborah gave gory details of how she was beaten to unconsciousness and upon her resuscitation, was subjected to interrogation from her madam’s lawyer whom she said forcefully seized her device and apps, passwords and private account details on account of a house rent transaction. She said she was locked up in a dog cage for three days without food and water before she was rescued. Thereafter she came to Brekete Family to lodge her complaint. She narrated how she suffered the bitter cold, and had insecticide sprayed directly into her eyes, electrical shocks, and use of bludgeoning brute force.

Narrating her ordeal, Deborah told Brekete Family under oath that Col. Ahmodou Ali, his two daughters and a son-inlaw witnessed the life threatening humiliation and blows meted out to her by Mrs Ali in the middle of their living room in their Abuja residence.

“While in the cage, Mummy burgled my house and carted away my belongings, credentials, documents including identification. I was later invited to a sitout area where the lawyer, a security consultant for the house and she held back my phone and purse as surety aside forbidding me from returning to my apartment until I am able to make a refund within thirty days.” Deborah tearfully narrated.

When the Police responded to the complaint of forceful imprisonment by the friends to Deborah, Mrs Ali whose residence was heavily guarded by police personnel could not be reached in three consecutive visits, until a lawyer got involved in the matter.

Mrs. Mariam's arrest was confirmed to Human Rights Radio and Television/Brekete Family on Wednesday, 27 April, 2022 by the Command Spokesperson, DSP Josephine Adeh, who said Mariam was invited under the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act.

Mariam Ahmodu Ali was invited by the Brekete Family for days, after several other workers also brought complaints of harassment, abuse and non-payment for work done by staff, but she failed to show up.

The arrest of Mrs Ali who reportedly has a penchant for beating up her workers and associates at the slightest misunderstanding or provocation, rekindles hope for down-trodden Nigerians at the receiving end of the wealthy and mighty in the society.

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