By Henry Emeana
Tragedy struck in Okuku in the Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo state on Tuesday after siblings allegedly beat their eldest brother, Chinonso Azuatalam, popularly known as Dakwada, to death over disagreement in sharing late father’s wealth.
Chinonso, a father of two whose wife was pregnant was allegedly beaten to death in the presence of their maternal uncles who came to resolve the sharing formula, our correspondent learnt.
A source in the community who confided in our correspondent, disclosed that while the deceased who was a welder was fighting with his immediately younger brother, Chibuzor Azuatalam, their younger brothers who were twins heat Chinonso with a big stick on the back of his head and he lost consciousness.
Chinonso was rushed to an undisclosed hospital, where he was pronounced dead, our correspondent was told.
Eastern Voice learnt that their sister, Chioma Azuatalam, a serving police officer allegedly beat up the deceased’s wife who was pregnant.
According to the source, on getting information that their eldest brother had been pronounced dead, the brothers fled, immediately.
According to the source, the sister who is a police officer had allegedly been arrested by the police.
“Chinonso Azuatalam is the eldest son of the family. He had three other younger brothers. Chibuzor Azuatalam and the twin boys. They were having serious issues with the sharing formula over their late father’s wealth.
“While Chinonso was insisting as the eldest son that the properties be shared evenly, the three other brothers, their sister, Chioma, and their mother connived to share them without his consent.
“In accordance with Igbo culture, their maternal people from Agwa in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo state were invited. While their uncles were presiding over a meeting on Tuesday morning in their house, tempers fled.
“The first and second sons started fighting. While the exchange of punches lasted, one of the twins heat the first son with a big stick and he lost consciousness. He was rushed to a hospital where he was confirmed dead.
“Their sister, Chioma Azuatalam, who is a police officer also beat the man’s pregnant wife. While the suspects have ran away, Chioma, the police officer, has been arrested.
“This is very unfortunate. The deceased had two daughters and his wife is heavily pregnant. This life self. How siblings will be killing themselves over their father’s wealth remains a surprise to me.”
The President General of the community, Martin Daniel, confirmed the murder incident, when he was contacted by our correspondent, on Wednesday.
He said that the community was working with the police in ensuring that another casualty was not recorded in the community.
The community leader disclosed that only the female cop had been arrested by the police.
The police spokesperson in the state, Orlando Ikeokwu, said that the female cop who is one of the sibling had been arrested by the police.
He also said that one of the siblings who heat the deceased with a wood had been arrested.
Ikeokwu said ” the deceased picked up a knife and threatened to kill his mother. His sister who is a police officer called her two other brothers. They came and fight ensured and one of them heat him with a wood. He lost consciousness and he was rushed to Federal Medical Center, Owerri, where he was pronounced dead.
“Their sister who is a police officer who invited her brother is in police custody. One of the brothers who heat the deceased with the wood has also been arrested.”
