Prison’s Boss appears before House of Reps & denies part in “Slapped & Called a Prostitute” Assault of Female Lawmaker

On Wednesday last week, Joan Onyemaechi Mrakpor and a member of the House of Representatives was allegedly attacked by the motorcade of Peter Ezenwa Ekpendu, the Controller-General of Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS).

“One man banged at my car, slapped me and called me a prostitute,” she said.

CG Ekpendu reportedly watched as the lawmaker was assaulted by his aides within the premises of the parliament.

Hon. Mrakpor said she was shocked and embarrassed by what happened and had written a formal complaint to the police.

Today, CG Peter Ekpendu said that officer of the NPS, who allegedly assaulted Rep. Joan Mrakpor, would face the wrath of the law, if found guilty.

Ekpendu made this known today when he appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Interior in Abuja.

The committee had been mandated by a resolution of the house to investigate the alleged assault on the member.

I was not aware…
The CG, however, said that he was not aware of any unduly behaviour by his officers allegedly accused of assaulting Rep. Joan Mrakpor in the National Assembly complex on April 20.

He said that contrary to the media report, he was not aware nor did he order his men to assault the representative member in the precinct of the National Assembly.

He denied passing out such order, adding that his car had driven past before the ugly situation happened.

The CG regretted the action and absolved himself of any responsibility for any action taken by his boys and apologised to the member, who was allegedly assaulted.

“It is never in my belief and person to allow assault done to a Nigerian woman not to talk of an Honourable member,” he said.

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Nancy Ajakuna, attached to the National Assembly, said investigation commenced immediately the report got to her, adding that action will be taken at the end of the investigation.

Idah Odey, Senior Inspector of Prisons (Escort), alleged to be the culprit, denied the allegation.

He said that he did not come down from his car on that fateful day.

Rep. Joan Mrakpor insisted that she was assaulted by the Prisons officers and want justice to prevail.

“For the assault from the prisons officials, I am here to find out my offence, because I believe that is either you allow a car to go or you refused.

“If you have refused, there was no need coming to brutalise the person.

“So why I was weeping was because I did not understand where that brutality was coming from, because there was no dent on the vehicle,” she said.

Rep. Adams Jagaba, Chairman of the committee, adjourned the meeting for further investigation.