Family Denies Allegations Over Woman’s Death, Alleged Mutilation

By Olisemeka Sony

The Chairman of Umualor Village in Umudora Anam, Anambra West Local Government Area of Anambra State, Mr. Dominic Nnamdi Ateli, has dismissed allegations linking their kinsman, Mr. Izuchukwu Okafor, to the death of his wife, the late Mrs. Anthonia Chisom Okafor.

Ateli was reacting to accusations reportedly made by the deceased’s family from Umuenwelum Anam, who alleged that Mrs. Okafor was poorly treated before her death and that her corpse was mutilated before burial.

He described the allegations as false and said they had further deepened the pain of the bereaved family.

“The allegation that Mr. Izuchukwu Okafor is responsible for the death of his wife is false,” Ateli said. “This is based on both the physical and spiritual investigations carried out by the family and community.”

Explaining the community’s position, Ateli said traditional processes were initiated immediately the allegations surfaced.

“In our tradition, whenever such incidents occur, we consult the oracle to ascertain the truth, and that was done in this case,” he stated.

He said members of the deceased’s family arrived in the community accusing Okafor of killing his wife, a claim he said came as a shock to the community.

“When they came and alleged that their daughter was killed, we were surprised. We did not understand how they arrived at that conclusion,” he said. “Rather than allow the matter to escalate, they decided to take the corpse back to their community.”

Responding to allegations that the deceased’s body was mutilated, Ateli maintained that what was observed on the corpse resulted from embalment procedures carried out at the mortuary.

“What they saw between the deceased’s legs was part of the embalming process,” he explained. “Our brother told us that before the body was moved from Lagos to Otuocha, it had already started decomposing, so the mortuary opened that part of the body for preservation purposes.”

According to him, the explanation failed to satisfy the deceased’s family, who proceeded to take the body home for burial.

Ateli further said Okafor had explained that his wife died after developing complications following childbirth.

“To prove he was telling the truth, we asked him to swear traditionally that he had no hand in her death,” he added.

He said the community also advised the deceased’s family to return the corpse to the mortuary for further examination if they suspected foul play.

“We suggested that the body be returned to the mortuary for proper investigation, including an autopsy, to determine the actual cause of death and what happened afterward,” he said. “But they declined and went ahead with the burial.”

Ateli lamented what he described as the spread of false narratives on social media following the incident.

“Afterwards, different stories began circulating online, accusing our brother of killing his wife. Some even alleged ritual involvement and other unfounded claims,” he said.

Speaking on why the family did not confront members of Umuada Umuenwelum during a protest visit to the community last Sunday, Ateli said they deliberately chose restraint.

“When the Umuada from Umuenwelum came protesting in our village square, we decided not to confront them because of the traditional steps we had already taken,” he said.

According to him, the matter had already been presented before the Oyi-Ọjị Odekpe deity in Ogbaru for spiritual adjudication.

“Our position is that anyone falsely accusing our brother will face the wrath of the gods,” he stated.

Ateli also disclosed that Okafor had sworn before several deities presented by both communities to affirm his innocence.

“That is why we were shocked by the actions of the Umuada of Umuenwelum,” he added.

The controversy surrounding the death of Mrs. Okafor has continued to generate tension between the two communities, as stakeholders call for restraint and a peaceful resolution of the matter.