Women fighting for what they see as there right? Another episode of things we see in Nigeria. If it is not bad leadership, then its insecurity, poverty and hunger, ethnic sentiments and etc and here we have a people going against a state project with what we see as spiritual. 12 women from Agobiri community in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have been arraigned by the police for allegedly plotting to disrupt the ongoing construction of the Yenagoa-Oporoma Road by the state government with charms. I can’t seem to figure out the logic behind what they did and why they think they should take it upon themselves to be heroes of their community.
The accused women are Nerisa John, 43; Christiana Famous, 36; Dolphina Ochai, 34; Flora Clinton, 55; Ayibanua Lucky, 33, Motoko Oyibadoemi, Amilo Brandy, 30; Tuebi Romeo, 25; Ayibaegben Godbless, 40; Becky Williams, 37; Ayababy Kwoli, 50; and Falaba David, 30. They were seen to be carrying out some fetish acts on the road insisting that the road should pass through their community. Before this display by these 12 women the police have had a two-count charge filed before the magistrate’s court, Oporoma division, accused and accused the women of conspiracy to commit a felony.
As it is stated “That you (all the accused) and others at large, on the same date and place in the aforesaid magisterial district, with intent to carry out a common purpose, did assemble in such a manner by blocking the ongoing Oporoma-Yenagoa Road construction with sticks, plantain, juju, palm fronds, causing persons in the neighbourhood to fear and tumultuously disturb the peace of the people using access road without reasonable occasion, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 54 and punishable under Section 55 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap. C14 Laws of Bayelsa State.”
Though the women pleaded not guilty and were granted bail in the sum of N50,000 each with one surety who owned landed property but having this women come back to display this act what they saw as a means to fight for their own right, and claim what they also deserved is a conspiracy against the state’s project.
The presiding magistrate, A.N Asuku, adjourned the case till December 6, 2021. The Agobiri women were arrested during their protest against alleged exclusion from the communities to benefit from the road project and for threatening to stop the road project of the of Bayelsa state , Governor Douye Diri-led administration if they are not included in the plan to restructure and develop their community.
