A suspected ritualist, Ifeanyi Ezenwankwo, has been arrested for allegedly brutalizing the wife and attempting to bury a day-old baby in Nanka, Orumba north local government area of Anambra State.
The suspect, a native of Nanka, was accused by his wife, Ekwutosi Ezenwankwo, of serial impregnation of a 16-year-old girl and abortion of the babies.
The victim also accused the suspect of brutalising her for opposing his criminal activities, including his refusal to allow him to bury the day-old baby born to him by the teenager.
According to her, the problem started when the husband married another woman, resulting in his refusal to contribute to the upkeep and welfare of their children.
She said, “My husband has severally impregnated one 16-year-old girl and aborted the pregnancy. But luck ran out of him in his latest pregnancy.
“When I discovered what was happening, I warned them that nothing should happen to either the girl or her baby, which made him start hiding the girl.
“When I came back that faithful day, I noticed unusual blood stains on the floor. But as soon as I approached the girl, she denied it, attributing it to the heavy flow from her period.
“I refused to believe her as I went further to check her body, only to discover that the pregnancy had ended. Instead, I saw a newborn baby wrapped around our wardrobe.
“I quickly dressed the baby and took her to the hospital where my child was receiving treatment. But before I left, my husband brutally wounded me, together with my other children.”
The victim further revealed that the husband had repeatedly threatened to kill her, citing an instance where she was rescued by community members while being tortured by the husband.
Confirming the incident, Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, said the suspect had been involved in a series of crimes, including battery, murder, and child defilement.
She said the suspect had been handed over to the police and would be charged after an investigation.
“When the issue was reported to me, I quickly took action by notifying the police for the immediate arrest of the suspect.
“The case will be charged to the Children, Sexual, and Gender-Based Violence Magistrate Court in Awka,” she added.
Credit: Nigerian Tribune
