The Akolade Arowolo murder case, created a media sensation, that was keenly followed by different women rights groups, many of whom staged different protests calling for justice when the case first broke in 2011.
However, an outpouring of appreciation to the judiciary and the police followed Friday’s judgement as different anti-domestic violence groups and individuals described it as victory for women who had at one time or another suffered domestic violence.
The Vice-Chancellor, Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijebu-Ode, who is also a member of the Women Against Rape, Sexual Harassment and Sexual Exploitation, Prof. Yemisi Obilade, said it was time that examples were made of men who see women as “mere chickens” that they could do away with anytime.
She said, “We appreciate the judiciary for being true to its oath and the fact that the police in this case did not muddle up the case.
“The lesson in all this necessitates asking ourselves what attitude we have towards violence against women. Should we ask women to continue to endure until they are killed? For many who have been close to this case, a chapter has been closed.
“We heard that there were series of physical abuse before Titilayo was finally killed, but the society kept telling her to endure. Most times, we ignore the signs like those that led to what happened. But we are all collectively to blame because we let it happen. Are we going to continue to let this happen or are we going to be our sister’s keeper?”
Executive Director, Project Alert, Dr. Josephine Effa-Chukwuma, said her belief in the judiciary had been rekindled by the judgment.
According to her, the delay in justice which amounts to denial of justice nearly made her give up on the judiciary.
Effa-Chukwuma said a signal had been sent out that domestic violence does not pay. We need more of this signal. We cannot continue to live in an environment where people kill others and believe they can get away with it.
“Even after Titilayo’s murder, others have died due to domestic violence, but marriage is not a death sentence for anybody. Both of you walked into the church to wed, you can as well walk into a court and end the marriage if you do not want to stay in the marriage any longer.”
Women rights advocate, Ms. Chibogu Obinwa, has mixed feelings about the judgement.
She said she did not believe in the capital punishment, explaining that it does not usually bring change in human behaviour.
“Life imprisonment is preferable. It is always proper to punish a perpetrator of crime against women adequately this way,” she said.
A friend of the late banker, a young woman named Faith, said Titilayo’s mother died during her birth.
“This is justice. She (Titilayo) had suffered since she was a child. Akolade should not have hurt her in anyway. She was the one taking care of her family,” she said.
