The Anambra State Government, through the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Social Welfare, has launched an investigation into the alleged murder of Ogechukwu Okafor, reportedly killed by her husband, Elijah Emeka Ibeabuchi, who is said to be a pastor.
The tragic incident occurred on August 13, 2024, but only came to the attention of the ministry after the deceased’s family raised suspicions about her husband’s actions.
This was revealed in a statement released on Wednesday by Chidimma Ikeanyionwu, the media aide to the Commissioner for Women’s Affairs and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo.
According to Ikeanyionwu, the crime took place in Nimo community, located in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The statement read in part, “The deceased uncle, Mr Samuel Onuorah, from Abatete community, who led the family member to lay the complaint at the ministry, alleged that he got a call from her late niece’s husband that her niece, Ogechukwu, fell from four-storey building and died.
“Mr Elijah Emeka Ibeabuchi, who hails from Nimo in Njikoka Local Government Area of the Anambra State, is the husband to the late Ogechukwu Okafor.
“Seeking for justice at the office of the Commissioner for Women Affairs, the uncle of the deceased, Mr Onuorah, noted that they discovered that their daughter did not fall as claimed by the husband, but was rather killed with a knife, stabbed on her neck and chest by Elijah.
“He further revealed that their doubts were cleared after they went to the mortuary where the said husband had deposited their daughter’s corpse and saw evidently that she didn’t fall from any storey building as claimed by the husband.”
In response, Commissioner Ify Obinabo called on women’s groups, human rights organizations, and social media users to support the fight for justice in this case.
She vowed that the state government would conduct a thorough investigation and ensure justice is served.
Obinabo also stated that she would inform the state governor about the incident and assured the public that the matter would be pursued rigorously until justice is achieved for the deceased.