A shocking case of domestic violence unfolded in Ebonyi state, as a 54-year-old man, Chima Eseni, was accused of beating his wife, Ugochukwu Chima, to death with an iron rod.
The tragic incident occurred on September 4, 2024, at their home located on 60 Ogbaga Road in the Kpirikpiri area of Abakaliki Local Government.
The police report reveals that Eseni allegedly attacked his wife in a fit of rage, using a heavy iron rod to inflict fatal injuries on her.
The prosecutor, Emmanuel Monday, detailed the horrific assault to the court, claiming that Eseni’s actions caused his wife’s untimely death.
“This is a heartbreaking case of domestic violence,” Monday said in his address to the court. “The defendant beat his wife mercilessly until she breathed her last.”
The charge against Eseni is murder, as per Section 319(1) of the criminal code law, which governs criminal actions in Ebonyi State.
Domestic violence has been a growing concern in Ebonyi, and this case has shocked the local community, raising alarm over the increasing number of similar incidents in the state.
In related developments, the Ebonyi police force had previously expressed deep concern over rising cases of husbands killing their wives in the region.
One such incident was a recent killing of a truck driver in Ebonyi, which had prompted renewed efforts from the police to tackle violence in households.
This disturbing trend of spousal killings is forcing local authorities to focus on preventing such violent acts before they escalate.
At the hearing in Abakaliki Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, Chima Eseni stood before Magistrate Chinedu Agama.
The accused did not enter a plea as the case is beyond the jurisdiction of the Magistrate’s Court.
Defence counsel Daniel Onuoha had sought bail for Eseni, but the application was rejected due to the gravity of the charge and the lack of jurisdiction to grant bail in such a serious matter.
“The law must take its course,” Magistrate Agama said after hearing the defence’s argument. “This is a case that demands careful handling.”
The court further instructed that the case file be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice on how to proceed.
With the DPP’s advice pending, the case was adjourned until December 31, 2024, for further hearing.
The murder charge against Eseni is a stark reminder of the growing problem of domestic violence in Nigeria, particularly in rural areas like Ebonyi.
Families and communities across the state have been left reeling, struggling to understand how such a brutal act could occur within a home.
The tragedy has sparked outrage in Abakaliki, with local residents calling for stricter measures to prevent domestic violence and protect vulnerable women.
“I never imagined something like this could happen in our community,” said Nkechi Nwosu, a neighbor of the Chima family. “It’s a sad day for us all. We need to do more to protect our women from violence.”
The police in Ebonyi have vowed to continue their efforts to tackle spousal killings, with a focus on prevention and support for victims of domestic violence.
Despite these efforts, however, many believe that more needs to be done to address the root causes of domestic violence in the state.
“We must create awareness and take strong actions against domestic abuse,” said Chioma Okafor, a local activist. “It’s time for a change in how we treat these matters.”
As the case against Chima Eseni moves forward, many hope that justice will be served for Ugochukwu Chima, whose life was tragically cut short.
