The wife of Abia State Governor, Mrs Priscilla Chidinma Otti, has sent a delegation from the Abia State Ministry of Women Affairs, Umuahia, to unravel the circumstances behind the maltreatment of a woman, Miss Gold James, from Okwu Olokoro, Umuahia South LGA.

Miss Gold, who is a casual worker, was recently maltreated at her workplace by the owner of a cottage industry and some persons who allegedly pushed her into a fire at the industry, on the accusation that she stole a hoe, which Gold had repeatedly denied.

Speaking at the palace of the traditional ruler of Okwu Autonomous Community, Eze B.I. Izuogu, on Tuesday, Abia State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Maureen Ahukwa, said that Abia’s First Lady, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, was saddened by the plight of the maltreated woman and is interested in getting the details about the incident.

The commissioner announced that the governor’s wife would do something to make Gold’s life better.

Earlier in his speech, Eze B.I. Izuogu thanked the wife of Governor Alex Otti for her interest in the welfare of women, children, and vulnerable persons in society and also appreciated Governor Alex Otti for introducing action-based governance in the state.

He testified that the victim of violence, Miss Gold James, did not have any record of stealing or other criminal activities but only eked out a living by doing menial jobs for people in the community.

He further expressed surprise that the owner of the company, who was arrested by the police for the alleged incident, was released by the police, even though the victim suffered serious injuries to her back, shoulder, buttocks, and private parts.

Eze Izuogu further disclosed that the man, after his release by the Ubakala Police Division, sued some members of the community in the High Court, Umuahia, claiming that his human rights had been abused.

Mrs Gold James, in her response, thanked Mrs Priscilla Chidinma Otti for intervening in her travails.