Woman, children beat 75-year-old father over firewood in Anambra

A middle aged woman, Esther Obidigwe and her two children, Ozioma and Obuka, have been arrested for allegedly beating their 75-year old patriarch in Awba- Ofemili, Awka North local government area of Anambra State.

They were arrested sequel to a report from the victim, Romanus Obidigwe at the Ministry of Women and Social Welfare.

While narrating his ordeal at the ministry, Obidigwe, who is a retired senior civil servant, noted that he had suffered much in the hands of his wife and children, including “sexual starvation.”

He said: “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 fate, 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.

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“Just for peace to reign, I submitted to my wife’s compulsory “no sexual relationship” since the year 2000 till date.”

Responding to the allegations, first son of the victim, Obuka, said he was not present when the incident happened while his wife, Obidigwe confessed to the crime.

The daughter, simply said: “It was what my father wanted to do to me that turned against him.”

The State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Ify Obinabo condemned the act, vowing to ensure justice for the victim.

“Residents are warned to desist from crime because the present administration is out to make sure the oppressed gets justice,” she stressed.

The Commissioner disclosed that the suspects had been handed over to the police for further investigations and possible prosecution.

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