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| Latifat Adesupe |
“I AND the guy were dating before. But when I told him I was not interested anymore, he poured acid on me and since then, I have not been able to see again.”
Those were the words of Latifat Adesupe, a young woman from Oyo State. A glance at her eyes makes one wonder how heartless and inhumane her former boyfriend is. Once beautiful, Adesupe must now learn how to live as a blind person for the rest of her life.
Before the ugly incident happened on December 30, 2011, she intended to
venture into selling clothes at Oshodi, Lagos after saving some money. But can she achieve this dream again?
After obtaining her NCE at Osun State Polytechnic (2006-2009), she couldn’t further her education due to the sudden death of her father in 2009.
According to her, Musiliu Olokode, her ex-boy friend who did the act, lives around Adeshina Aboru, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos. He used to be a part-time student at Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) and also, has a football-viewing centre beside Adesupe’s house.
They started their relationship in 2010 when Latifat was 25. A year after, she said she became uncomfortable with the relationship and needed to quit. “I told him I was no longer interested but he said if I don’t date him, no other person will. I thought it was an empty threat,” she recalled.
How did it all happen? “I was on my way to the mosque at No. 42-45 Chief Rasaki Street, Aboru-Iyana Ipaja when he suddenly appeared. He called me and as I looked behind, he poured something on me,” she said.
At first, she didn’t know it was acid as the liquid was cold. But some minutes later, her body became hot and swollen. According to Latifat, Musiliu must have studied her movement because everybody was already in the mosque and no one heard her screaming. However, two of her neighbours appeared and assisted her as she was struggling back home. They were coming from a vigil.
“When I got home, the neighbours used palm oil, pap and many other things just to make the pains go away. None of them knew it was acid at that time. It was when they saw that my wrapper and head tie were burnt that they noticed that it could be acid.
“My parents were not around, so my neighbours decided to take me to the General Hospital at Ile-Epo, Oke Odo,” she recalls.
At Oke Odo, she was referred to Ikeja for treatment. She admits that the wound was treated but she cannot see very well except if there is light.
“If I put my hand close to my eyes, I feel it a bit. But since the day I was discharged, I can’t see again,” she lamented.
The case is now in court. Musiliu was arrested on March 4 although it took the police a while before he was arrested.
“He has been charged to court. We went to court on April 17 and May 14 but the case was adjourned till June 4. It has also been transferred to Ebute-Metta High court,” she added.
She alleged that Musiliu’s family at first denied that their son attacked her, stressing that they even refused to contribute financially to her treatment.
“I am not feeling comfortable. I want the government and the masses to help me because I still believe I can see again with my eyes. I don’t want to live the rest of my life like this.”
But medically, her hope of regaining her sight may not be possible given the assessment of some Nigerian and foreign doctors approached.
Latifat’s uncle, Hamzat Adesupe, told The Guardian that they were not in Lagos when the incident occurred. “We went to Oyo State for a wedding ceremony, which was on December 24 and planned to return to Lagos in January. But after we received the call on December 30, we were forced to come home that same day,” he recalls.
Ever since, Hamzat says himself and other close relatives have not been themselves. “We spent months in the hospital.” He acknowledges the effort of officers and men of Oke-Odo police station, saying that were it not for them and the DPO, Musiliu won’t be brought to book. It was until the police arrested his sister that the family produced Musiliu.
“They arrested his aunty who later called her husband to come and meet us at the police station. They first lied that Musiliu poisoned himself and died after the incident.
“But the police told them that if they don’t produce the boy, his sister will not be released. So, they produced him and we were referred to Panti police station. Then, later to Kirikiri.
“We want her to see again since the damage has already been done. We believe in miracle and there is nothing God can’t do, ” he said.
On her part, Latifat’s aged mother who sells cooked rice, pleaded with well-meaning Nigerians to pray for the well-being of her daughter and render any assistance to make her regain her sight.
“ I have five of them. I felt bad when I heard and I could hardly sleep since then. Though I know the boy in the neighbourhood but I don’t really know the kind of person he is. And I didn’t know they were dating,” she says
The deed is done, but Latifat is still in need of help to see again. “Some doctors said I can’t see again but I don’t believe that. With prayer, everything is possible. My mother is a poor old woman. I need the financial, technical and spiritual support of individuals, government, NGOs and private corporations,” she pleaded.
Kind-hearted Nigerians who wish to assist Latifat can reach her on 080765049
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