Lawyers, civil society groups, and rights advocates marched in Lagos to seek justice for Mr. Temitope Odu, a lawyer, 56-year-old wife, and mother who was allegedly killed in an instance of domestic abuse.
According to Vanguard, the memorial walk, organized by the Gnosis Help Initiative with the help of various human rights groups, took place along Sabo Road in Yaba and drew a big crowd of lawyers, women’s rights activists, and concerned residents.
The procession was called a “transitional walk” and was a sign of both grief and defiance. It showed that people were determined to fight the ongoing problem of domestic abuse that is still taking lives across the country.
Olumide Omosebi, the head of the Gnosis Help Initiative, led the walk and criticized how poorly institutions in Nigeria handle incidents of domestic abuse.
He asked the government to do more to set up support systems that will last and run campaigns to raise awareness all the time. He also said that victims should never be ashamed of leaving violent marriages.
He said, “No religion should ever be used to justify violence.” No one should be tricked into staying in a harmful marriage because they think God doesn’t want them to get a divorce.
He described Odu’s death, which happened shortly after he was called to Bar, a wake-up call and highlighted the necessity for ongoing public education.
about violence against women.
During the walk, Maureen Bolowotan, chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Ikorodu Branch, said, “FIDA is still dedicated to encouraging women to value themselves and protect themselves. No marriage is worth a woman’s life.”
According to Ololade Ajayi, the coordinator of the Femicide Observatory Programme under the DOHS Cares Foundation, an intimate partner kills a woman or girl in Nigeria every 49 hours. Their data shows that Odu was the 162nd recorded victim of femicide in 2025.
Ajayi encouraged families and communities to stay alert and said that early action can stop abuse from getting worse and turning into tragedy.
Anthonia Ojenagbon, an advocate against domestic violence, said that the late Odu had been physically and emotionally abused for more than 20 years before her death, which was reportedly caused by her husband.
“No relationship is worth your life.” The death of Odu should make our country think about what it has done.
Shola Fatoye, a women’s rights activist who was also there, stated, “For too long, cultural expectations have buried the stories of victims.” We need to listen, respect, and do something now.
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