My Son-In-Law Has Killed Me – Late Osinachi’s Mum Laments

• Says he even banned her from ‘Omugwo’ (babysitting)

BY ONYEKACHUKWU IBEZIM – Still smarting from the sudden loss of her daughter due to alleged prolonged domestic violence, Mrs Oriaku Nmadu, mother of the late gospel singer, Osinachi Nwachukwu, has finally opened up on stories surrounding the unfortunate incident, insisting that justice must be served to the one who killed Osinachi.

For the distressed woman, the death has dealt an irreparable blow to their family as the singer’s spouse, Peter Nwachukwu did not allow her late daughter to enjoy the fruit of all that she laboured for.

In her pain, Mrs Nmadu, who hails from Isuochi in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State, says the tragic death has shattered and traumatized her and it is important that there is justice for Osinachi, who reportedly died due to physical abuse suffered from her husband, currently in police custody.

With claims that the family was deceived by Peter Nwachukwu into giving him Osinachi’s hands in marriage professing to be a pastor, Mrs Madu said regrettably events over the years revealed that the man, by his conduct and attitude towards both the wife and her family was ‘fake’.

Bearing her mind when the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) paid a condolence visit to the family, Mrs Nmadu said her heart is still bleeding over the tragic incident and how unfortunately Osinachi’s husband allowed the devil to use him in ruining her life.

According to her, the son-in-law shut the doors against their family shortly after the marriage, adding that he was so mean that he never permitted her to enjoy the popular ‘omugwo’ (babysitting) for all the four children given birth to by her late daughter.

“My daughter went through hell in the hands of Nwachukwu, my daughter had four children I could not go for ‘omugwo’ (babysitting) for any of the children because her husband would not want to see any member of Osinachi’s family.”

She recalled that at a particular time when she fell sick, it was only after much pressure from Osinachi’s friends that Peter reluctantly allowed her to come over to their home in Abuja for care and recuperation.

Also offering insight on her son-in-law’s insufferable attitude, Mrs Nmadu said it was quite shocking that Nwachukwu abandoned them and drove home with the children after a particular church service for no just reason.

“That Sunday after church service as we were waiting for Peter Nwachukwu, he came out and ordered his children into the car, he drove off leaving me and my daughter behind. I was shocked because it was a well-wisher that gave my daughter that car, instead of Osinachi complaining, she rushed out to get a taxi that drove us home. When we got home we saw him and the children”, she recollected.

Further narrating her hurtful experience, the woman said; “Another car a fan gave Osinachi for God’s work, Peter took the vehicle and started driving it without allowing her access. At the slightest misunderstanding, he abandons his wife at any point and drives away. On one occasion, the children were inside the car saying bye-bye to their mother. He never allowed the wife to enjoy the fruit of her labour”.

Mrs Nmadu, who disclosed that the children are now with one of her daughters, urged NAWOJ to help her get justice saying; “Osinachi believed in the biblical injunction that says marriage is for better for worst and that was why she endured the marriage thinking that Peter Nwachukwu will change, but unfortunately my daughter died”.

Intermittently shaking her head in confusion, Mrs Nmadu advised young girls to be wary in their choice of a husband so as not to fall into the hands of wicked men who are in the habit of battering their wives.

In their condolence message to the bereaved family, the Abia state Chairperson of NAWOJ, Mrs Beatrice Okezie Odoemelem, who expressed shock over the incident, described the late gospel singer as a shining star and pleaded with relevant government agencies to ensure the deceased got justice.

Odoemelem assured Osinachi’s mother that NAWOJ would synergise with the Abia State Ministry of Women Affairs to ensure that justice was served, even as he urged men to always adore their wives as precious partners in marriage.

The NAWOJ Chairperson also charged husbands to desist from battering their wives as well as every form of violence against women.

Also speaking during the visit, the Abia State Secretary of NAWOJ, Henrietta Ashikodi, called on families to be lifeline support to their female children facing one abuse or the other in their husband’s home.

Ashikodi, who lamented that the abuse late Osinachi endured in the husband’s house was well known by her family members and friends but they all appeared helpless in saving her, said; “It is time women speak out. You do not have to die the way Osinachi died, let be our brother’s keeper, let the world know when a woman, who is helpless is been abused. By this, we are avoiding the untimely death of innocent wives and mothers.”