By Sola Kuti
A 24-year-old Lagos resident, Paul Odu, has recounted the harrowing circumstances surrounding the death of his mother, Temitope Odu, who died a day after she was allegedly beaten by her husband, Paul’s father.
The 56-year-old victim was just called to the Bar last September .
Paul, speaking during an interview with newsmen, said his father subjected his mother to years of physical and verbal abuse, which later led to the fatal beating that ended her life shortly after she returned from Abuja, where she attended her call-to-bar ceremony.
Paul said, “My father beat my mum a few days after she returned from Abuja. He called her all sorts of despicable names and accused her of sleeping with men. When I tried to stop him from insulting her, he turned on me and beat me with plywood.”
According to him, neighbours refused to intervene because they already knew his father as a violent man and habitual wife-beater. “He locked the door while attacking me. I called my mum, but she could only tell me to find a way to escape. I couldn’t,” he said.When Temitope returned home from Abuja, her husband allegedly resumed his assaults.
“He accused her of infidelity and insulted her endlessly. He even called my elder brother, telling him to ‘come and carry your mother now if you don’t want her to die,’” Paul narrated.
The young man said his father deliberately provoked an argument by taking his mother’s belongings into his room. “When she went to collect them, he started hitting her. I ran to the police station, but when they invited him, he denied everything and was released,”
Paul said.Temitope reportedly died the next morning, after complaining of body pain and receiving home treatment from a nurse.
“She called me to bring her pap and Zobo. That was the last thing she said to me. When I went back to check on her an hour later, she was cold,” he recalled tearfully.
Paul said his father was in the house at the time but refused to come out when told that his wife was dead.
“I knocked on his door, but he didn’t answer. I ran out to get help. When my mum’s friend came, she confirmed she was gone,” he said.
He added that his father had a history of violence and jealousy. “He once accused my friend of having an affair with my mum and even reported to the police that my friend was sleeping with her. He had also fasted and prayed for three days, saying his wife should die,” Paul alleged.
Temitope, who worked with the Lagos Ministry of Agriculture before studying law at the National Open University of Nigeria, had built the house where the family lived.
Paul’s uncle, Mr. Gbeyi Olorunfunmi, the deceased’s elder brother, said he regretted not insisting that his sister leave the abusive marriage. “We knew he was violent. I spoke to him many times, telling him it was wrong to beat his wife. I regret not urging my sister to leave when I had the chance,” he said.
Mr. Olorunfunmi confirmed that the suspect is currently in detention at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Lagos, and that the family intends to pursue the case in court.
Paul, who now wants justice for his late mother, said he would accept any punishment given to his father. “Whatever penalty the court pronounces on him is fine with me. If he’s condemned to death, I’m okay with that,” he said quietly.
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