Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Anambra Ministry of Women and Social Welfare has arrésted Esther Obidigwe, Ozioma Obidigwe, and Obuka Obidigwe for beating up their patriarch.
Mrs Ify Obinabo, the Commissioner of the Ministry said that the arrest was made after the 75 years old victim named Mr Romanus Obidigwe reported the incident to the ministry.
Obinabo in an interview with Journalists in Awka on Wednesday revealed that the incident happened in Awba-Ofemmili in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra.
She said that Obidigwe a retired senior civil servant shared his experience that his family has been in the habit of beating him and starving him.
Obinabo said that the cause of the alleged ill-treatment was as a result of his daughter, Ozioma, selling his firewood without his consent and when he tried to know why, they pounced on him, tied him up and use a rod in inflicting injuries on him.
She said that Obidigwe further revealed that the trio usually steal from him especially his first son, Obuka, who had gone to the local government where he retired from to claim his benefits.
The patriarch bitterly lamented that it was for the sake of peace that he gave in to his wife’s compulsory “no sexual relationship” since year 2000 till date.
He also noted that it took the intervention of a neighbor before they stopped beating him after which they locked him out of his compound.
Obinabo said that his son Obuka denied that he inflicted injury on their father as he was not present when the incident happened.
The Commissioner said that his wife, Mrs Esther Obidigwe confessed to the crime whereas the daughter alleged that it was what the father wanted to do to her that turned against him.
Obinabo, who was furious over the dastardly act, promised to make sure the patriarch gets justice.
She, therefore, warned every member of the society to desist from such crime as the present administration is out to make sure the oppressed gets justice.
She also noted that her ministry is not only meant for women and children but is instituted for the social welfare of everyone.
The trio has been handed over to the police where they will be interrogated and charged to court.
