The Anambra State Government, through the Ministry of Women and Social Welfare, has initiated an investigation into the alleged murder of a woman by her pastor husband.
The pastor, identified as Elijah Emeka Ibeabuchi, has been accused of st@bbing his wife, Ogechukwu Okafor, to d£ath.
Chidimma Ikeanyionwu, the media aide to the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Ify Obinabo, confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday, September 11, 2024.
The incident, which occurred on August 13, 2024, was reported to the ministry over the weekend by the deceased’s family, following concerns about irregularities and threats from the husband, who is from Nimo in Njikoka Local Government Area.
According to the deceased’s uncle, Mr. Samuel Onuorah from Abatete, he initially received a call from Ogechukwu’s husband, who claimed she had fallen from a four-story building and died.
However, seeking justice at the office of the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mr. Onuorah stated that the family later discovered that Ogechukwu had not fallen, but was st@bbed in the neck and chest by Elijah. Their suspicions were confirmed when they saw her body at the mortuary and noticed a wound resembling a stab.
The family also alleged that Elijah intended to use their newborn baby for rìtual purposes. In the process of allegedly dragging the baby from his wife and st@bbing her, he scraped her palm.
The family has called on the state government for help in securing justice for their daughter.
In response, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Ify Obinabo, appealed to stakeholders, women’s groups, human rights advocates, and social media users to support the government’s efforts to ensure justice for Ogechukwu. She also promised to inform the governor’s wife to ensure the case receives proper attention.
