15-year-old loses eye after been flogged by step mother

A 15-year-old boy, identified only as Bolu, lost an eye after his step mother, Esther Modupe, allegedly flogged him in the Onipanu area of Lagos.

It was learnt that Bolu, who was looking forward to writing the post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination of a university in Lagos State, he's blind in his left eye.

It was gathered that Bolu’s mother separated from her husband, Lekan Williams, about 10 years ago, and her two children were brought up by the husband alone until 3 years ago when Lekan married a second wife- Esther.

It was learnt that Esther, who doesn't yet have a child with Lekan took care of the children before the flogging incident.


It was gathered that Esther and Lekan were arrested by the Surulere Police Division on Monday, August 10.

It was learnt that on Tuesday, June 16, the family, who stayed in a rented apartment on Owodunni Street, had gone to church, leaving the key to the apartment with Bolu.

But the teenager, however, arrived late at home which annoyed Esther, who consequently flogged the boy for returning home late. The cane was said to have hit the boy by accident.

The boy’s eye reportedly became swollen after which he was said to have been rushed to a private hospital. However, the condition of the eye gradually worsened and after a month, Bolu was said to have gone partially blind.

A neighbour who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Esther was friendly to the 2 children left by the 1st wife, adding that it was unfortunate that the flogging caused a problem.

He said:

“Bolu’s mother packed out of this house about 10 years ago. She knew she had two children, but she abandoned them. The man was forced to marry a second wife about three years ago. That was when Esther started living here.

“The woman worked as a private school teacher, and she was very nice to Bolu and his younger brother. The two also liked her, and you will not even know they were not her children. But it turned out that on that day that she was angry and flogged the boy. The cane hit him in the eye.

“They initially thought it was a small thing. But it turned out to be a big problem. The mother then showed up and took him away.”

Another resident and shop owner, identified only as Mama Olu, said the act was unintentional, adding that Bolu, who would be sitting for the post-UTME soon, did not open up on his condition on time.
She said

“Bolu is a cool-headed boy, and he loved the woman too. Esther too was close to the children. She taught them lessons, and bought clothes for them. It is the father that I blame because he did not notice the boy’s condition and take him to a hospital before it was too late.

“Now, the result of the medical test stated that the boy has lost the eye. It is unfortunate; the woman was nice to her step sons.”

It was gathered that Bolu’s mother came to the area on Monday, and took her son away.

The matter has since been brought to the attention of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team, which was coordinating other agencies to provide rehabilitation for the boy.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Patricia Amadin, confirmed the arrest.

Punch