By Onyekachi Eze
There is commotion in Umuoda village, Etiti-Orsu Community, in Orsu Local Government Area, Imo State over the outright demolition of residential building belonging to the late family of one Mr. Marcel Okechi.
The action was carried out by the younger brother to the deceased, one Mr. Simeon Okechi.
It was learnt that the middle aged woman, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Okechi was shocked to her bone marrows when she returned home from market to discover that her husband’s house had been totally knocked down by her brother in-law.
She has five Children for her late husband; a son and four daughters, still at kindergarten stage.
However, attracted by this dastard act, the National Council for Women Societies, NCWS, Imo State chapter has declared interest in the matter and visited the scene on a fact finding mission.
The State President of National Council for Women Societies, Hon. Lady Stella Anyacho with some of her Executive; Hon. Mrs. Ego Ibeh (PRO), the Assistant Lady Iheoma Onumajuru were in Etiti-Orsu at the early hours of yesterday.
Leadership of NCWS in Orsu LGA led by the President, Hon. Lady Gloria Ijeoma Onyebuagu, and her Secretary, Eziada Marbel Obiefule, were not missing in action.
At the residence of the Traditional Prime Minister of Etiti-Orsu Autonomous Community, Chief Dennis Unaka, who welcomed them in the community on behalf of the traditional ruler narrated that the action of Simeon Okechi was shocking.
Chief Dennis Unaka disclosed that what Simeon did to his late brother’s wife and little children was an abomination.
He said on hearing the sad news, the entire community condemned the heartless behavior, even when he (Simeon) has no justification of any sort to destroy a house built by his late elder brother.
Chief Unaka revealed that although the principal actor who lives in Benin, Edo State had made intentions of occupying the same portion of land the house was situated haven been the house their mother stayed in and died, has no reason to render his sister-in-law and kids homeless without prior notice.
Trumpeta Newspaper gathered that the woman’s husband was almost constructing new duplex in the same compound, but couldn’t complete it due to death.
It was gathered that prior to the attack, the entire community has read riot act to the perpetrator, and issued a seven days ultimatum to him to either fix the uncompleted building his brother left to enable the poor widow and her children have shelter or face the community wrath.
Chief Unaka said the standing order is that he will complete the building within seven days.
“The community is not happy with him. If he fails to meet up, the community will take it up with him. What he did was an abomination. Destroying the only living house your brother’s wife have. Where does he want her and the young innocent children to go from there” Chief Unaka fumed.
In addition, Mr Simeon is said to also pay the community heavy fine ranging from fifty thousand naira to one hundred thousand naira with other compensation items before he would be welcomed back as a reasonable son of the land.
He added that the community is not treating the issue with kid gloves.
In her speech, the State NCWS President, Hon. Lady Stella Anyacho decried the continued victimization meted on women in the society.
She said the National Council for Women Societies detest such treatment and gender inequality, especially when the woman is seen to be ‘helpless’.
Nneoma Stella Anyacho fumed that if such occasion of brutality and denigration on females are not well addressed, the society will continue to experience more.
According to her, “We, the National Council for Women Societies came to Etiti-Orsu, in Orsu LGA of Imo State to ascertain the truth. One of the major objectives of NCWS is defending the cause of the poor, especially women and widows”.
“The wickedness meted out on women and widows in our society is disheartening. It’s either they suffer domestic violence or societal injustice”.
“In tandem to our goals, NCWS is leaving no stone unturned in giving voice to the voiceless, and help to the helpless in a legal means”, Hon. Stella Anyacho said.
She however called for other civil society groups, NGOs, Human Rights, and good spirited individuals to rise up and say no to ill treatment towards women.
Meanwhile, the victim, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Okechi had earlier in a video clip making rounds on social media affirmed that he never had any altercation with his brother-in-law, apart from when he warned her to park and leave their house since the husband is late.
The young widow submitted that she was in the market where she sells rice in a wheelbarrow when some people run to her that her house was being demolished.
She said when she got home, it happened to be true. All her house property, and her children’s clothes damaged at the process.
The widow explained that since then, she and her children sleep in different people’s houses each passing day.
Mrs. Ifeyinwa thereby pleaded for justice since she has no one to speak for her.
