Lawyers, women’s rights activists, and civil society groups staged a memorial procession in Lagos on Monday to demand justice for the late Felicia Temitope Odu, Esq a 56-year-old lawyer, mother of three, and recent Nigerian Bar graduate, who reportedly died as a result of domestic abuse.
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The procession, described as a “transitional walk,” was organised by the Gnosis Help Initiative in collaboration with several human rights organisations and took place along Sabo Road, Yaba. It drew a large gathering of legal practitioners, women’s rights defenders, and concerned citizens, symbolising both grief and collective resolve to confront the persistent scourge of domestic violence in Nigeria.
Leading the walk, Convener of Gnosis Help Initiative, Olumide Omosebi, condemned the weak institutional response to domestic abuse cases and called for stronger government interventions, including sustainable support systems and continuous public sensitisation campaigns. He emphasised that victims should never be pressured to remain in abusive unions.
“No religion should ever be used as justification for violence. No one should be deceived into staying in a dangerous marriage under the guise of divine disapproval of divorce,” Omosebi said, describing Odu’s death as a wake-up call.
Chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Ikorodu Branch, Maureen Bolowotan, stated, “FIDA remains committed to promoting self-worth and self-preservation among women. No marriage is worth a woman’s life.”
Coordinator of the Femicide Observatory Programme under the DOHS Cares Foundation, Ololade Ajayi, revealed that a woman or girl is killed by an intimate partner every 49 hours in Nigeria. Odu’s death marks the 162nd documented case of femicide in 2025. Ajayi urged families and communities to remain vigilant, stressing that early intervention could prevent abuse from escalating into tragedy.
Domestic violence advocate Anthonia Ojenagbon recounted that Odu had endured more than two decades of physical and emotional abuse before her death, allegedly at the hands of her husband.
“No relationship is worth your life. The death of Odu should awaken the conscience of our nation,” Ojenagbon said. Women’s rights campaigner Shola Fatoye added, “For too long, victims’ stories have been buried under cultural expectations. It’s time we listened, respected, and acted.”
Temitope Odu had defied societal expectations when she pursued a law degree at the age of 56 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in September 2025, fulfilling a lifelong ambition. Tragically, she reportedly lost her life in October following an alleged beating by her husband, who had a history of abuse spanning over 20 years. Neighbours testified that the husband frequently subjected her to physical abuse, including incidents that caused her to lose teeth.
The husband is currently in the custody of the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Panti, Lagos, and an autopsy is expected to be conducted.
In light of Odu’s death, a transitional walk was held to her church, CAC Vineyard of Mercy Parish, Yaba, at 3 pm on Monday. Advocates called on religious leaders to stop encouraging women to remain in abusive marriages, stressing that faith should never be a justification for violence.
A source who spoke to The Eagle Online noted, “The abuse had been ongoing for years. She was an interpreter at CAC Vineyard of Mercy, Sabo, Yaba, Lagos. The church advised her to remove the man from the house since it belonged to her, but she refused. Her death is a tragic reminder of the urgent need to address domestic violence in Nigeria.”
The memorial walk highlighted the urgency of strengthening legal protections, public awareness, and community support to combat domestic violence and femicide in the country.
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