ABUJA - A housemaid, Lydia Elisha, has petitioned the House of Representatives over allegations of torture and humiliation meted out to her by the police on the orders of Rep. Henry Shawulu.The three-page petition, addressed to the Speaker of the House, Mr. Dimeji Bankole, was written through her counsel, Mr. Tom Metu of Peace Chambers, Abuja.In the petition, which was made available to newsmen in Abuja, Elisha said Shawulu accused her of stealing N40,000 from his residence at EFAB Estate, Abuja.Following the allegation, Elisha said the lawmaker took her initially to EFAB Estate police station where she was detained between April 5 and April 9.The petitioner said that she was transferred to Life Camp police station where she was almost tortured to death by the police.Narrating her ordeal, Elisha said: “I was handcuffed, tortured and taken to a hidden corner outside the police building in a container where I was asked to agree that I stole the money.”Elisha said that her refusal to agree to the police request earned her more torture and humiliation, as her boss directed and watched her being dehumanised.“The I.P.O implored me to agree that I stole the money to avoid further punishment. I refused. He therefore poured tear gas powder on me after soaking my body with water.‘’My body, breasts and private part were severely burnt such that I was unable to sit down for days,’’ she said.The housemaid said that a lawyer, Teslim Agboola, who came to assist in securing her release on bail, was equally assaulted by the police officers who threatened to beat him up.“I want to state categorically that I never stole any money from Shawulu’s home but I was no longer tolerating abuses, curses and insults from Shawulu’s wife and children,’’ she said.Elisha, a 22 year old girl from Kanke in Plateau, was engaged by Shawulu on November 14, 2008 on a monthly salary of N12,000 before it was increased to N15,000 due to her diligence and hardwork.The girl, through her counsel, had threatened to sue the lawmaker and claim damages for the brutality, humiliation and violation of her fundamental human rights.The maid told newsmen that she was still receiving treatment at a private clinic due to severe burns and injuries she sustained.According to her, she still has her mobile telephone, purse and a pair of shoes in the custody of the police station.Contacted on telephone, Shawulu, who represents Jalingo/Yorro/Zing Federal Constituency of Taraba, claimed ignorance of the matter.But he was quick to ask later, “where do you get that story.’’“I am not aware of what you are saying. Who are your witnesses? You have no evidence to prove what you are saying.’’Both the Divisional Crime officer at Life Camp Police Station and the I.P.O in charge of the case, had confirmed the incident but denied the alleged torture.An eyewitness, simply called Olatubosun, narrated how the girl was allegedly brutalised on the orders of Shawulu, who personally supervised the torture.Olatubosun told newsmen that all pleas by him and other sympathisers at the police station fell on deaf ears, as the lawmaker insisted he would force her to pay the alleged stolen money.The witness said that he heard the lawmaker saying that Lydia was very hard working, being the only maid who stayed beyond a month with his wife.
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