A landlord and his wife of 25 Awgbu Street, Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra state narrowly escaped lynching for beating a-12-year-old, Miss Blessing Edeh, daughter of a tenant to coma.
The culprits, who were taken to the police at Ogidi Police station for their action after the incident also jumped bail.
The victim, who is currently placed on danger list at Balm-In-Gilead hospital, Omagba, near Onitsha, escaped death by the whiskers when the landlord and wife jointly beat her to pulp.
According to a co-tenant, Mrs Igwe Ifunanya, who witnessed the incident, “trouble started for Blessing when the children of the landlord threw stone to some co-tenants’ children which resulted in exchange of words.
“On hearing of the quarrel, the wife of the landlord rushed to the scene and started accusing those other children of throwing stone to her children, and Blessing who was by the side watching the drama, explained, “aunty it is your children that threw the stone to those children when they were passing-by.
“The landlord’s wife became infuriated and asked Blessing who made her a judge in this matter, and the girl left the scene to avoid further wrath from her.
“Later, Blessing and some children went to fetch water and on seeing Blessing, the landlord’s wife rushed and bounced on her, slapping and beating her.
“On the process her husband, the landlord rushed and took over the beating, hit her on the chest, leg and head with a block and pressed her hard on her breasts and neck, resulting in one of her breasts swollen and she slumped.”
“On seeing that she was about dying, the landlord and wife wanted to run but were held by some youths who witnessed what was happening and wanted to lynch them if not for pleas from some elders that Blessing been rushed to a nearby hospital by the couple.
“The victim was first taken to a medicine store where she was rejected because she was at the point of death before she was rushed to Balm-In-Gilead hospital”
Blessing’s mother, Mrs Francisca Edeh, said “the medical Director of Balm-In-Gilead hospital where my daughter is hospitalized directed us to go for x-ray at Iyi-Enu hospital and as we were going, the couple vowed to deal with us.
“The landlord has directed his lawyer to serve us with quit notice, even as we unable to pay N60,000 billed for x-ray and other medical expenses at Iyi-Enu hospital, Ogidi”
“My husband then sought for rescue from Barr. Elysius Moneke who came to the hospital with the landlord’s lawyer, and both condemned the action of the landlord, pledging to assist the victim for quick recovery.”
“However, as the threat from the couple continued, I went and lodged the matter at Ogidi police station and police came to effect the arrest of the couple, but they refused to open the door and the police dropped an invitation note and asked me to come to the station the next day.”
“When I came I was told by the police that he jumped bail and as I am talking to you now he is nowhere to be found and the police said they are still looking for him”.
Contacted, counsel to the victim’s father, Barr. Elysius Moneke, revealed that, Mr. Kenneth Edeh, came to me for help over what the landlord and wife did to their daughter and that the landlord boasted that he has the money that the couple were poor people that could not withstand his financial muscle”
“That is the reason l am ready to assist the victim and her parents, I have gone to the hospital and spoke with the Medical Director and he told me that the landlord could not even produce the #60,000 bill for x-ray and others at Iyi-Enu hospital”
“We shall meet in the court, I was told he is on the run, if he likes let him run to the moon. The police are inviting all the warring parties again tomorrow, Wednesday and I will be there. The small girl is still in the hospital, no food, drug and money from the couple that put her in this condition”.
Text message put across to the Ogidi Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Mr. Ekuri Remigius, (CSP) has not been responded to, but a senior police Officer who pleaded anonymity said that, “the suspect jumped bail, we are looking for him.”the
