An elderly woman, Mrs. Martha Umenweke, aged 65, has been arrested in Ezinifite, Aguata local government area of Anambra state, for allegedly inflicting injuries on her 19-year-old house-help. The arrest followed a report by a whistleblower who witnessed the incident.
The victim, Chidiebere Otenyi from Nkanu, Enugu State, recounted that she was accused by her mistress of stealing ₦25,000. Despite denying the accusation, Chidiebere, who has lived with Mrs. Umenweke for a year and four months, claimed she has been severely punished at the slightest provocation, including being starved.
Chidiebere, still in pain at the time of rescue, mentioned that she is 19 years old but is only in primary 3 because her madam demoted her when she arrived. It was reported that Mr. David, an alibi to the suspect, tied up the victim's hands and legs after she was beaten.
Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, expressed outrage and vowed to ensure justice for the victim. She stated that the suspect would not go unpunished for inflicting such injuries and pain on another person. The case has been handed over to the police for further investigation and prosecution at the Children, Sexual, and Gender-Based Violence Magistrate court in Awka.
