A middle-aged woman, identified as Esther Obidigwe, her two children, Ozioma and Obuka, have been arrested by men of the Anambra State Police Command for allegedly beating their 75-year-old patriarch in Awba-Ofemili, Awka North local government area of the state.
Raye24reporters learnt that the arrest was carried out over a report from the victim, Mr Romanus Obidigwe, which he filled at the Ministry of Women and Social Welfare.
While narrating his ordeal at the Ministry, the retired senior civil servant, noted that he had suffered much at the hands of his wife and children, including sexual starvation.
“My family has been in the habit of beating me. In this particular incident, my daughter, Ozioma, sold my firewood without my consent and when I accosted her, she, her mother and brother pounced on me, tied me up, and used a rod to inflict injuries on me.
“It took the intervention of a neighbour before they stopped, after which they locked me out of my compound.
“They have since stopped feeding me which I accepted in good faith, yet, they usually steal from me, especially my first son. He even went to the extent of claiming my benefits at the Local Government Area I retired from.
“Just for peace to reign, I submitted to my wife’s compulsory “no sexual relationship” since the year 2000 till date,” he said.
Responding to the allegations, the first son of the victim, Obuka, denied being present when the incident happened while his wife, Mrs Esther Obidigwe confessed to the crime.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Ify Obinabo, who condemned the act, vowed to ensure justice for the victim, noting that her ministry was not only instituted for women and children but also for the social welfare of all and sundry.
However, the commissioner stated that the suspects had been handed over to the police for further investigations and possible prosecution.
