“Break the Silence” — Officials Rally Support For GBV Survivor As Court Hears Attempted Murder Case
Officials Advocate for Victims at Court Proceedings
THE Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State, Helen Eno Obareki, has called on women to speak out against gender-based violence (GBV), assuring them of government support in seeking justice.
Obareki made the appeal on 29 April 2026, after attending proceedings at a High Court in Abak Local Government Area, where a suspect, Hope Henry Ekong, is standing trial on charges including attempted murder, intent to cause grievous harm, and threat to life.
High-Level Presence Signals Government Support
The court session drew the presence of key state officials, including Deputy Governor Akon Eyakenyi and Commissioner for Women Affairs, Inibehe Silas, alongside other stakeholders.
Their attendance, Obareki said, reflects the state’s commitment to ensuring that cases involving violence against women are treated with seriousness and urgency.
Call to Break the Culture of Silence
Speaking to journalists, Obareki urged women not to remain silent in the face of abuse, stressing that reporting incidents is key to achieving justice.
She noted that the state government has put in place structures such as helplines and intervention platforms, including the Golden Initiative For All (GIFA) and the state’s Gender-Based Violence Management Committee, to support victims.
Deputy Governor Condemns Violence
Addressing a gathering of women who staged a solidarity march at the Abak Local Government Secretariat, Eyakenyi reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance stance on GBV.
She encouraged women to leave abusive environments where possible and to promptly report incidents to relevant authorities when immediate exit is not feasible.
Legal Proceedings Continue
The defendant has pleaded not guilty to all charges and has been remanded in custody pending trial.
The court adjourned the case to 20 May 2026 for further hearing, as stakeholders expressed hope that justice would be served.
