Representatives of the Human Rights Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) and UNICEF were at Magistrate Court 1, Kaduna, to demand justice for a 13-year-old housemaid, Janet Audu who was battered with hot water by her caregivers.

Background checks revealed that the little girl while doing other house chores had burnt her mistress soup which angered her 14-year-old son who decided to bathe the maid with hot water meant to prepare local dishes.

It was, however, gathered that both the son, Yusuf Marcus (first respondent and a minor) and his mother, Luthsi (second respondent) have been earlier granted bail after they pleaded not guilty to three count charges level against them.

The three-count charges are cruelty to a person, causing bodily harm without provocation and abatement of the offender as captured in sections 207, 221 and 54 of the Penal Code of Kaduna State.

Magistrate Benjamin Hassan after hearing the Police adjourned the case to August 19 for further hearing to enable the Police to complete their investigation on the matter.

Fielding questions from journalists outside the courtroom, Barr Bukola Ajao who represented the Human Rights Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association, Barnawa Branch said, “the matter came up for further mention and the Police told the court that they are almost concluding their investigations”.