A couple of days back we dropped the first part of our interview with the highly respected Human Rights Lawyer Barr. Blossom Nnenn Nwafor-Orizu who helped us understand the side of the law on the Rape and Manslaughter case of the Akwa-Ibom State Corper Chidinma Princess Odume who allegedly hacked her lover/suitor Japheth Akwaowo to death. The Human Right activist Miss Nwafor-Orizu discuss the fundamental rudiments of the case with KOKO’s Laurence Oke-Hortons.
READ ALSO: Meet Chdinma Princess Odume, The Beautiful NYSC Corper Who “Killed Her Boyfriend”
The Lawyer who in the second part of the interview insisted that the NYSC didn’t do well by the Princess, by allowing all those who mobbed her go Scott-free. She even called on the NYSC to be the one to get a lawyer for Princess Odume and defend her case.
READ ALSO: Princess Odume Is Innocent, She Didn’t Set Out To Kill Japheth – Women’s Rights Lawyer, Barr. Nnenna Nwafor-Orizu
She was supposedly mobbed before her arrest by the police, is there any basis so such actions understand our constitution?Â
Jungle justice is a no no under the Nigerian constitution. As a matter of fact, It is wrong only the police has the right to arrest a person and is innocent until she’s been pronounced guilty by a competent court. Lynching and jungle justice as a matter of fact is wrong under the law all those involved in such an act can and should be arrested and can be charged to court. I vehemently frown against any of such act of jungle justice.
But I think one of the reasons why Nigerians sometimes decide to take the law into their hands and resort to such acts of jungle justice is because Nigerians have lost hope in the legal system of the country.
If found guilty, what are the legal ramifications for her and women in this country? What role do you think the families, friends and social media play in this case?
If found guilty for manslaughter she will get a reduced sentence of to say an average of 12-15years. Where she would serve at any of the correctional facilities across the country. But even at this, her lawyers can still appeal the case till as far as the Supreme Court. Rape cases are hotcakes at the moment and everyone is interested and have a role to play. Rape cases have been increased tremendously since the COVID-19 lockdown and women are mostly the victim. This is a case of interest-based on the recent happenings across the country, so if her lawyers are smart enough they can use these to their advantage and also use the voice of the social media to push a protective narrative for Princess.
How significant is the fact that Princess is an NYSC Corper on this case?
In the case of she been a Corper, it’s almost like policemen and the force, she’s a property of the NYSC and the NYSC should actually be the one to defend her and get lawyers for her because she is actually government’s property. Its the duty of the NYSC to take care of this girl. It is even the duty of the NYSC to punish all those that mobbed her and then see that her case is upheld. 
We are seeing more cases like this in this country, what do you think is behind is?  Â
Everybody is angry in Nigeria, this is a country where a man objectifies women. Where women are seen as an instrument of pleasure and satisfaction. So I am not surprised that such cases are on the high. Cases of defilement and rape increased by 100% since the COVID-19 induced lockdown and defilement is even worse.
Photo Credit: Getty
