15-year-old loses eye after been flogged by step mother

A 15-year-old boy, identified only as Bolu, lost an eye after
his step mother, Esther Modupe, allegedly flogged him in the
Onipanu area of Lagos.
It was learnt that Bolu, who was looking forward to
writing the post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination of
a university in Lagos State, is blind in his left eye.
It was gathered that Bolu’s mother separated from her
husband, Lekan Williams, about 10 years ago, and her two
children were brought up by the husband alone until 3 years
ago when Lekan married a second wife- Esther.
It was learnt that Esther, who doesn't yet have a child with
Lekan took care of the children before the flogging incident.
It was gathered that Esther and Lekan were arrested by the
Surulere Police Division on Monday, August 10.
It was learnt that on Tuesday, June 16, the family, who
stayed in a rented apartment on Owodunni Street, had gone
to church, leaving the key to the apartment with Bolu.
But the teenager, however, arrived late at home which
annoyed Esther, who consequently flogged the boy for
returning home late. The cane was said to have hit the boy
by accident.
The boy’s eye reportedly became swollen after which he was
said to have been rushed to a private hospital. However, the
condition of the eye gradually worsened and after a month,
Bolu was said to have gone partially blind.
A neighbour who spoke on condition of anonymity, said
Esther was friendly to the 2 children left by the 1st wife,
adding that it was unfortunate that the flogging caused a
problem.
He said:
“Bolu’s mother packed out of this house about 10 years ago.
She knew she had two children, but she abandoned them.
The man was forced to marry a second wife about three
years ago. That was when Esther started living here.
“The woman worked as a private school teacher, and she
was very nice to Bolu and his younger brother. The two also
liked her, and you will not even know they were not her
children. But it turned out that on that day that she was
angry and flogged the boy. The cane hit him in the eye.
“They initially thought it was a small thing. But it turned out
to be a big problem. The mother then showed up and took
him away.”
Another resident and shop owner, identified only as Mama
Olu, said the act was unintentional, adding that Bolu, who
would be sitting for the post-UTME soon, did not open up on
his condition on time.
She said
“Bolu is a cool-headed boy, and he loved the woman too.
Esther too was close to the children. She taught them
lessons, and bought clothes for them. It is the father that I
blame because he did not notice the boy’s condition and
take him to a hospital before it was too late.
“Now, the result of the medical test stated that the boy has
lost the eye. It is unfortunate; the woman was nice to her
step sons.”
It was gathered that Bolu’s mother came to the area on
Monday, and took her son away.
The matter has since been brought to the attention of the
Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team,
which was coordinating other agencies to provide
rehabilitation for the boy.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Patricia
Amadin, confirmed the arrest.
Punch

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