Man kills wife over loaf of bread in Enugu

The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba has been called upon to ensure that justice is done in the alleged killing of a woman by her husband in Enugu state.

The Deceased , Ogochukwu Uwadiegwu, who hailed from  Umuokpu village,  Awka , Anambra state, was allegedly fatally battered by her irate husband during a quarrel over a loaf of bread.

Radio Nigeria gathered that the family of the unfortunate woman issued an appeal to both government and security agencies to come to their aid and ensure that Ogochukwu “gets justice “.

Recounting the events that led to Ogochukwu’s tragic death, her mother, Cordelia Anene, said her daughter was married to Ndubuisi Uwadiegwu, an indigene of Enugu state and was blessed with five children, four boys and a girl.

According to Mrs Anene, her daughter had requested money from Mr Uwadiegwu (her husband) in replacement for a loaf of bread which she earlier bought for the children but which had been eaten by him.

Mrs Anene, who claimed to have spoken with the deceased on telephone before visiting her in the hospital in Enugu, said when Mr Uwadiegwu was confronted by his wife on why he ate up the loaf of bread, he pounced on her, beating her with a belt and mirror; thereby inflicting injuries on her.

Bloodied and helpless, Ogochukwu was later rushed to Niger Foundation Hospital , Enugu, where she received some treatment but was adjudged to be in need of a referral to University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, UNTH, where she eventually died of her injuries. According to Mrs Anene, it was discovered that about two pints of blood had congealed inside Ogochukwu’s stomach, caused by internal bleeding.

She said her grandchildren told her afterwards that their father was in the habit of beating their mother at the slightest provocation.

Ogochukwu’s elder sister told Radio Nigeria that an autopsy was conducted to ascertain the immediate cause of her death but a police officer handling the matter (whom she did not name) told the family that there was no evidence to detain Mr Uwadiegwu who was already in their custody.

She wondered why Mr Uwadiegwu would be released when in fact the autopsy report had not been released.

On that premise, the family of the deceased suspected foul play and began appealing to the IGP, the government and other relevant institutions of state to intervene and ensure that justice is done in Ogochukwu’s case.

Responding to the plea of the late woman’s family, the Vice-President , Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), South East Zone, Comrade Stella Igboka condemned what she described as the unfortunate turn of events, and called for a “thorough investigation” into Ogochukwu’s death in order to ensure that justice is served.

The State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Ify Obinabo said the government “will not keep quiet” over the “unfortunate incident” but will make sure that investigation is conducted to unravel the cause of death.

Mrs Obinabo also said the state government will synergize with the Enugu State government in investigating the case in order to get justice for the deceased, adding that the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 13, covering both Anambra and Enugu, will be “properly briefed” on the matter for “prompt action”.

Late Ogochukwu Uwadiegwu completed her secondary education in 2000, having held the post of senior prefect of Girls Secondary School, Amaenyi, Awka.