A week before Christmas, in their one-room apartment in Awori, Majidun area of Ikorodu, Lagos state, they had planned where they would visit. On the D-day, an unkind fate dashed their hope and shattered their excitement leaving them rather, with sad memories.
Crime Guard gathered that as early as 7am that fateful day, the eldest son, Chidera Odoh, 17, joined his mother, Christiana in hawking rice and pepper soup after leaving some at home for the family to eat.
They planned to use the proceeds for Christmas celebration. Vanguard gathered that on arrival, a heated argument ensued between Christiana and her husband, Romanus which snowballed into a big fight. Christiana was said to have stabbed her husband with a kitchen knife in the stomach.
The 55-year-old Romanus reportedly died moment before reaching hospital.
Conflicting cause of fight
There were however conflicting reports on the cause of the scuffle between the couple. A version said it was caused by the refusal of the deceased to provide money for his family to cook for the Christmas. But the bereaved children described the version as false, saying that the heated argument which degenerated into a fight between their parents, occurred after their father accused their mother of infidelity.
When Crime Guard visited the children in Ikorodu, they looked a shadow of themselves. As at 12 noon Thursday, some of them were yet to take their break fast . After a long wait for an approval from a relative, the eldest son, Chidera, explained how life was snuffed out of their father. He said: “ My mother did not intentionally kill my father. She never meant to stab him, it was all a mistake”.
At this point, he paused when his siblings began to cry. Continuing, Chidera said: “When my mother and I returned from the market where we went to sell rice and pepper soup on Christmas day, she went straight to bed, saying she was tired. Later, daddy came back home drunk and also went to bed. The next thing we heard was mum telling dad to leave her alone. He started accusing her again of visiting some of her boyfriends. Dad was fond of accusing my mother of having an affair with any man that came to buy rice and pepper soup from her.
“They started quarrelling and dad stood up from the bed and broke a bottle which he threatened to stab my mother with. I held my father , begging him not to carry out his threat. One of our neighbours, uncle Kola who came in, collected the broken bottle from my father. “But daddy rushed out and came back with a kitchen knife which he threatened to stab my mother with. My mother moved closer to him to collect the knife. But in the process of struggling with him, it pierced into my father’s stomach. When my mother noticed what happened, she called out for help.
I was among those who rushed my father to the hospital, where he was confirmed dead on arrival”, he said in tears.
Crime Guard gathered that when news of the death of the Ebonyi state father of eight filtered in , occupants of the building held Christiana until the arrival of policemen from Ajegunle division. They whisked her away. The suspect’s younger sister, Mercy Eze, also told Crime Guard that aside accusing her sister of infidelity, the deceased was also fond of beating her sister. She revealed that her sister had been responsible for the family’s upkeep for a long time, alleging that the deceased usually left home for a week without deeming it fit to drop money for the children’s feeding. She lamented that rather than get a pat at the back, her sister’s late husband would beat her and accuse her of cheating on him.
According to Eze,” My sister has lost some of her teeth due to constant battering. Any time her husband came back drunk, he would pounce on her . This accusation had been on for long but my sister would always say that she was only holding on because of her children.”
But some members of the bereaved family did not buy the explanation as they insisted that Christiana allegedly stabbed their brother to death because of his inability to provide money for Christmas food. One of them who gave his name simply as Andrew said that the family would soon come up with its position on the matter. “For now, I can not speak on behalf of my family because I have not been authorised to do so.
What we heard was that she had been threatening to kill our brother and now she has carried out her threat. We leave the police to do their work”, he said.
Appeal to Police, government
Meanwhile, the children have appealed to the Police to carry out discreet investigation with a view to ascertaining how their father died. They also called on the Lagos State government to come to their aid. Chidera said “As it is, we are like orphans. Our father is no more and our mother who used to cater for our feeding and other responsibilities is being detained by the police.
Since the incident happened, we have been feeding from hand to mouth. Neighbours and relatives have been coming to check on us. But how long will this go ?. Christiana , has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department , SCIID, Yaba for further investigation , from where she would be charged to court.
Another day, another report of domestic violence against women.
ReplyDeleteWomen dey suffer o, chai!
I believe this story. I just pity the woman and the kids
DeleteNdi Ebonyi, always aggressive.
DeleteThe woman should be freed so she can takecare of the kids.
DeleteThose 8 children are disasters waiting to happen if they are not well taken care of.
I donbelive it
DeleteIt is well oh. I ffeel for the kids and the woman.and not the deceased if he really was useless. I.e not providing for his home.
DeleteI so believe this story. My late Dad used to be one (thank God he changed). My mom was and is a super mom but once he's home drunk he says and does the unthinkable. It's just unfortunate and may God help this kids cos their lives will never remain the same.
DeleteGuess this a case of Self Defense
DeleteIf actually the man took the knife 1st
Rich man go born 2 children but a poor man go born 8.
DeleteKim kadashia or whatever, are you sick? Do you even read well at all, mswww
DeleteQueen of SDK,didnt you read it was for self defence and you are saying she should face justice and leave the children,8kids at that.pls they should leave this woman alone for the sake of those kids. Am already feeling for them.
DeleteNPF release that woman immediately, she has kids to fend for, what rubbish? She is even the sole bread winner...mtchewwww. Inlaws are now showing themselves.
ReplyDeleteThose are the in laws that could not give the man water to drink when he was alive oh (am very sure of that)
DeleteDon't mind them, yeye inlaw who knows the truth about their son's violent and uncaring attitude. They should better settle out of court,Chidera's account his about self defence and with good lawyer she will be free.
DeleteI believe it was an accident too but unfortunately the man is dead!
DeleteHer kids are suffering please let them release her to go take care of them
If the kids version is true then it was clearly self defense. The neighbor is also a witness na.
ReplyDeleteSo after hawking the man will not allow the woman to rest..
DeleteThey are 5&6 with violence. Always having children they can't care for, imagine a family of 10 living in one room. Dirty people
DeleteNawaooo
DeleteExactly, Self defense things. .only wish she gets a good lawyer to help her out.women be suffering since time immemorial.
Delete@Igbo Kwenu, pls forgive them if some of them have hurt you by speaking ill of your tribe. I have also been hurt but for the sake of the sensible ones, I always let go.I want to believe that now they know that a bad person is a bad person irrespective of the tribe.
DeleteHmm, I doubt that sha, when the next bad post comes out with their sworn tribe enemy they will come out in their masses.
Hmmmmmmmmmmm.God see them through
ReplyDeleteIt could have been the woman who died, everything still leads to poverty.
ReplyDeleteYeah
Deletewow so sad, they should free the woman, it's a case of self defence.
ReplyDeleteRip to the man.
Eeeeeeya
ReplyDelete8 children kwa? Poor men can nack o!
ReplyDeleteI believe the children's version, the woman needs to be released to enable her fend for her kids.
Wow I feel so sad for this innocent woman and her children,even if the children are lieing it simply means that thier mother was thier main provider and the father was a good for nothing that made them sad while alive,and now with his stupidity and foolishness he has died without providing for the kids and at the same time snatching away thier mother who usually provided for them...some men are just useless...the police should please release that woman it was a case of self defence joor,a woman that was hawking even on Christmas day wouldn't get angry over her husband inability to provide money for Christmas food at all...those kids and that hardworking woman should not be made to suffer simply because of the man's laziness and foolishness...LET HER GO
ReplyDeleteTo tell u Dat d woman WS really suffering she went hawk rice n pepper soup on Christmas day n upon DAT d drunk wan climb.d woman was tired.
DeletePathetic indeed
DeleteWe are the architect of our own problems. Eight children with father and mother in one room, why do women put up with shit? This domestic violence obviously started a long time ago, the woman was working her ass off hawking, yet she would get home and the looser horseband will ask for gbenshing after drinking ogogoro, and the kids kept coming. This story is all about frustration, poor people actually have more kids than the rich ones and its a big problem. I only pity the kids.
ReplyDeleteVery sad. See what alcohol has caused. I pray they all get the help.
ReplyDeletePoverty playing a part
They should free that poor woman sharp sharp. What nonsense.
ReplyDeleteThe man got what he deserved.
Its obvious she killed him in self defense.
Eyaaaah,I really feel for this poor kids...
Avoid domestic violence of any kind. I pray God helps the woman out of this problem. He's willing to produce children that he can't provide for their upkeep and still want more gbenshing after producing 8 children without taking care of them. The woman that struggles to provide for the family end up receiving beaten as weldone. Hmmm
ReplyDeleteNa wao, it's well
ReplyDelete#Strong people will automatically stop trying if they feel unwanted. They won't fix it or beg. They will just walk away*
ReplyDeleteI wish the man is alive for me to kill him again, the Bible says any man that can not provide for his family is worst than an infidel, no rubbish, no peace for the wicked
ReplyDeleteI believe the children. Stupid family members will be showing power now, but when the man was beating the woman they did not say anything. I pray God vindicate this woman. But she will never remain thesame
ReplyDeleteChei God pls let them give her a suspended sentence. It was self defense or manaughter at most. Pls help those children. Hawking rice on Xmas day? Pls God forgive me for ever thinking I had it bad. Pls I pray for her release. If only there's a way to send those kids money.
ReplyDeleteNawa o!
ReplyDeleteSorry to say this but I think Ebony men are very callous and mean to their wives, they are not as caring as the average Ogbe man. My observation though.
ReplyDeleteNooo. My husband is from Ebonyi and I cannot ask for a more caring husband. He worships the ground I walk on.
DeleteNooo. My husband is from Ebonyi and I cannot ask for a more caring husband. He worships the ground I walk on.
DeleteHow I feel for the children.
ReplyDeleteIt's self Defence, they should leave the woman, poverty is bad and d man is irresponsible
ReplyDeleteWhat a sad, sad story.
ReplyDeleteHmmmm
ReplyDeleteHmmmm
ReplyDeletei ɓɛʆiɛѵɛ tɦɛ cɦiʆɗʀɛɳ รiɗɛ ѳԲ tɦɛ รtѳʀy ...tɦɛ iɳʆɑwร รɦѳuʆɗ gѳ tѳ ɦɛʆʆ!
ReplyDeleteThis is realy sad. I pity the kids...
ReplyDeleteI can imagine what the children are going through o! An unfortunate event that will change their life.
ReplyDeleteHow could the woman even give birth to 8kids?Thats how poverty extends to generations. 8 kids tan.How can u possibly feed them? In one room?This is absurd.
ReplyDeleteEight children in one room. Wow! Dysfunctional family
ReplyDeleteVery sad,what will be d fate of these 8 children without a parent? maybe into one criminal activity or d other,lets learn to tolerate one another to avoid had I know
ReplyDeleteWho will speak for the dead?.....if the truth is told the children would suffer so why not lie against the dead who couldn't provide for the family..
ReplyDeletePoverty poverty, Lord have mercy on the poor woman chaii..
ReplyDeleteGoing by what their child who is a principal witness narrated, it's a case of self defense.
ReplyDeleteShe should be acquitted, who's gon take care of them kids?
Women, learn to stand tall and stop putting up with men that frustrates you to avoid cases like this.
Dum Spiro spero.
This is a better and believable version.
ReplyDeleteFather of 8? Poor men and their love for 'many' children
Poverty is certainly a disease.
ReplyDeleteI just pity the children more, imagine the kind of trauma these kids will go through.
ReplyDeleteNawahooo. How sad. Some people be allowing themselves to be manipulated by d devil. Now he death.
ReplyDeleteBut you were all cussing her the other day!
ReplyDeleteAnon 23:32, someone did for goodness sakes! Were we to praise her?!
DeleteRich people have less kids and make more money,poor ones be busy making babies. Eight children cha.
ReplyDeleteHello Stella.
ReplyDeleteI would like to reach out to those children by giving them foodstuff of 20K worth.
Pls make a report on how to locate them in Ikorodu.
Twin Boys Mom.
God bless, bless & bless you! You will never know lack!!!
DeleteGod bless, bless & bless you! You will never know lack!!!
DeleteGod bless, bless & bless you! You will never know lack!!!
DeleteGod bless, bless & bless you! You will never know lack!!!
DeleteYes o I would like to do the same. Pls Stella find a way.
DeleteSome people, like 98% will read posts like this,whip out their keyboard fingers and type rubbish as usual, because that is all they have to offer.
DeleteOthers like anon 5:16-Twin Boys Mom
Will look for an opportunity, no matter how small, to make a difference.
Mom Twins boys, I'm amazed at your generosity. Stella pls I also want to support this sweet mother. Even if na 5k. As a mother,i feel the pain of those children
DeletePity, God help those children.
ReplyDeleteEight kids out of a woman and living in one room yet you believe she cheats? Let's adsume she does.and so what? Make her leave you or you leave. You don't own her ass wipe!
ReplyDeleteAbi o, irresponsible men who can't provide for the family always accuse their wife.i remember when we were young that my dad accuses my mom too cos his transport biz crumbled and he didn't want to try any other work and my mom has to fend for 9 people including him, it went on for a long time until we stood up for her and he said he will commit suicide cos we love her more than him, na so his wife started crying o but bottomline it stopped and he searched and got another job and today we bless God for his mercies and faithfulness, we the children are all university graduates courtesy of my mom and doing well. What my mom endured, I can't take the bullshit for anything anyday,my hubby raised his hand on me Love and marriage go end that day cos he will graduate to battering. They should free the woman poop, things are happening in poor homes I have witnessed and experienced it
DeleteSo women coming here to wish men dead,,,,,if it was der oda way round you all will scream kill him,,,,wat do u expect d kids to say? Rat out der mom so hunger will finish dem. How does a knife mistakenly turn to stab d aggressor. D man might be all dey called him, but d woman killed him. You all sound as if women have d right to kill men and blame it on men, bt when a man beats not even kill a woman, d man must die. You and I know that most women who are bread winners cheat bcos der husband is broke, and don't come her telling me ur mother did nt cheat even tho she was d bread winner, will she announce it if she does. D matter should be investigated murder or manslaughter d law should take it course
ReplyDeleteBest comment...women love to eat their cake and have it...foolish set of species..Stella and Linda inclusive...very biased mind
DeleteMy friend(Anon 8:42) Sharrap that dirty gutter you call mouth. You speak so ignorantly and foolish.I guess you are so inexperienced, it's your type of men that do this, if yours is not even worse. Stupid man
DeleteIt's so unfortunate the stupid man died. Imagine, 8 children in one room, the woman hawked on Xmas day and am not surprised he wanted to gbensh after ogogoro. Though nobody has the right to snuff life out of a fellow human being but her case is different the woman should be free joor and let her care for her children.why did she even has aduru 8 children for an irresponsible man like that.
ReplyDelete@twin boys mum and anon even if you end up not being able to reach out for conceiving it in your heart to give God will surely bless you all . *crying* .
ReplyDeleteAmen oo
DeleteWhy on earth will a woman have 8 children in a one room apartment. Tie your tubes after the second child. Haba.
ReplyDeleteThis is how my neighbour beats the wife black and Blue,disgraces the wife in public, take her money to drink and smoke, accuses her of cheating with her customers and yet sleeps with a 15 year old girl.
ReplyDeleteLadies, pray never to come across these type of men. They kill faster than a shot of gun
Abeg na so Ebonyi people be!! very dirty and typically drunkards..stuff their hundreds of kids in one room and still their female kids go dey born for their papa house..I live around them so i know very well...most especially Adah people..
ReplyDelete