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Confusion over husband’s alleged murder of wife in Port Harcourt

Published

1 year ago

March 9, 2024

Michael Chidozie and late wife, Ufuoma

Confusion over husband’s alleged murder of wife in Port Harcourt

Did Michael Chidozie, a middle-aged man, kill his wife of 10 years? The police in Rivers State are battling to resolve the puzzle surrounding the death of Ufuoma, the wife of Chidozie.

Ufuoma, who was about 37 years old, was found dead on March 5. She died at their residence on Chinda Street, Obio-Akpo Local Government Area, Rivers State.

It was gathered that there was an altercation between Ufuoma and her husband on alleged financial irresponsibility of Chidozie. The woman reportedly accused the husband of not providing for the family. She was said to have complained that the man abandoned his financial obligations to his three boys and wife.

On the night of March 4, tempers flared between the man and his wife. The children claimed they saw their father lose his cool and hit their mother. They said they overheard their mother crying but that their father gave them a marching order to hit the sheet. They said while they went to bed in obedience to their father’s order, they could no longer hear the cry of their mother.

On the morning of March 5th, the children were woken up by a bang on the door. They heard the voice of their uncle, their mother’s brother, directing them to call their father, but they discovered that their father was not in the apartment.

The children were said to have told their uncle that their father was not around, following which the uncle said they should call their mother, but all efforts by the kids to wake up their mother were to no avail.

The uncle reportedly asked the children to give him the key to their door. He opened it, entered their room and discovered that his sister was lifeless. He raised the alarm that attracted neighbours, who immediately invited the police.

So what happened to Ufuoma? The uncle said the husband of his sister called him and asked him to come to his apartment, citing emergency. However, on getting to the house, he discovered that his in-law bolted the house and ran away.

While Ufuoma’s body was moved to the mortuary, the police spread their dragnet in search of her husband and arrested Chidozie on March 6. Though Ufuoma is no longer alive to speak about the circumstances that led to her death, her bosom friend of 10 years, Sarah, provided some lead.

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Sarah, who was yet to come to terms with the reality of Ufuoma’s death, said they were classmates at the Auchi Polytechnic where they graduated from the accounting department. She said marriage later brought them together again in Port Harcourt.

“But the last time I saw my friend in December 2023, I discovered that things were not well with her. She complained that her husband was maltreating her financially. She said the husband was working but failed to provide for her and the three boys.

“But I told her to be patient with him, that things were really tough. But she told me that about three months ago, her husband borrowed money but could not pay back.

“She said those he borrowed money from later came to their house to seize some of their items,” she said.

Sarah confirmed that prior to December last year, she did not receive such complaints from her friend. She, however, recalled that following hardship, her friend and the husband relocated from two-bedroom flat along Iwofe Road to a bedroom flat.

On whether the friend complained to her about domestic violence, Sarah said: “She did not complain about violence. She only said the man was not providing for them financially.”

She added: “In February, my friend called me and begged me to help her with some money to feed the children. I asked her about her husband and she said he was out of the house. I later sent her N5000. That was the last time I heard from her.

“But I got a call on March 5 in the morning and the caller asked me to come to my friend’s house. I rushed down there and saw many people in the compound including some policemen. I saw my friend lifeless.

“I cried and they told me that the husband beat her to death. I followed them to take her body to the mortuary.

“I looked at her body but I didn’t see bruises. She was just lifeless. I wondered whether in the heat of the argument the man pushed her and she hit her head on a hard surface. But I checked her head and there was no injury.”

Sarah appealed to the police to diligently investigate the circumstances that led to the death of her friend. She asked the police to thoroughly quiz the husband, insisting that the man has questions to answer.

“Why did he run away if he was not responsible for her death? Why was he not available to even take the woman to the hospital and perhaps to the mortuary? Why did he abandon the children with the corpse and run away?” she queried.

The police are currently trying to resolve the conundrum. It was gathered that the police may resort to conducting an autopsy on the body of Ufuoma to resolve the confusion.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said Chidozie was currently in detention. Iringe- Koko said the suspect was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Port Harcourt for discreet investigation.

She said: “The suspect has been arrested. He has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Port Harcourt for discreet investigation.”

Confusion over husband’s alleged murder of wife in Port Harcourt

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Obi lied, I blocked him from visiting IDP camp for lack of courtesy – Alia

Published

4 hours ago

April 25, 2025

Trends Admin

Obi lied, I blocked him from visiting IDP camp for lack of courtesy – Alia

Peter Obi and Governor Hyacinth Alia has given a reason for his blocking major opposition figure Peter Obi from visiting the IDP camp in Benue.

Mr Alia accused the Labour Party leader of violating standard protocols by failing to inform the governor ahead of his visit as courtesy demands.

Mr Alia, in an interview with TVC on Thursday, said Mr Obi was blocked from visiting the Benue IDP camp because his “intention” was unknown, and he violated protocols by not informing him in advance.

“A very respected Peter Obi was a governor. If you are coming into someone’s state, there are protocols. Very high personality; you are coming into someone’s state, and your party does not even know you are coming.

“I, the sitting governor, did not know you were coming. Then you are going into where I’m protecting even the most, the IDP camp. It’s my duty to protect them. They’ve been displaced. I need to protect them even some more. I don’t know the intent you have,” Mr Alia explained.

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He added, “Is it not courteous enough for me to know as a sitting governor and even to provide more security to you and prepare the minds of the IDPs that a guest is coming to visit them?”

The governor denied claims that he was unreachable when the former Anambra called to inform him of his visit.

“No, that’s not the right narrative. I can never politicise that. I’m the one bearing the brunt, pain and sorrows of the IDPs in my state,” Mr Alia stated. “No. That’s not the true story. If he (Mr Obi) couldn’t reach me, I have a chief of staff, I have an SSG, (and) I have a PPS. That’s not true.”

Last week, Mr Alia said he could not guarantee the safety of any individual or group visiting Benue without his knowledge or clearance, barring Mr Obi from visiting the state.

However, Mr Obi expressed displeasure at how Mr Alia’s government allegedly politicised his planned visit to the troubled Benue.

Obi lied, I blocked him from visiting IDP camp for lack of courtesy – Alia

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Zulum meets with Cameroonian troops after deadly Boko Haram attack in Wulgo

Published

4 hours ago

April 25, 2025

Trends Admin

Zulum meets with Cameroonian troops after deadly Boko Haram attack in Wulgo

Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, has expressed his deepest condolences to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) following the recent Boko Haram assault in Wulgo, a border town with Cameroon.

Governor Zulum made the visit on Thursday to Cameroonian troops under Sector 1 of the MNJTF, where he also extended sympathies to both the government and citizens of Cameroon over the devastating attack.

In Wulgo, located roughly 15 kilometers from Gamboru Ngala, the Governor was welcomed by Major General Godwin Michael Mutkut, the Force Commander of the MNJTF.

“I am here to commiserate with you, and with the government and people of the Republic of Cameroon, over the recent unfortunate incident. I wish to salute your bravery and unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property in the region,” stated Governor Zulum.

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The Governor also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to supporting the MNJTF and Cameroon in their fight against terrorism and insurgency in the Lake Chad region.

“The Government of Nigeria will explore all possible avenues to complement the efforts of the Multinational Joint Task Force and the government of Cameroon to bring lasting stability to the Lake Chad basin,” he assured.

Alongside the Federal Government’s support, Governor Zulum pledged additional assistance from Borno State to the troops operating in the region.

The Governor was accompanied by Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan of Borno Central, Special Advisers Hon. Idrissa Jidda and Hon. Mustapha Dalatu, Hon. Yuguda Saleh Vungas, Chairman of the Borno State Social Investment Programme, the Chairman of Ngala Local Government Area, and his Principal Private Secretary.

Zulum meets with Cameroonian troops after deadly Boko Haram attack in Wulgo

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Tribunal upholds Nigerian government $220m fine against Facebook, WhatsApp

Published

5 hours ago

April 25, 2025

Trends Admin

Tribunal upholds Nigerian government $220m fine against Facebook, WhatsApp

The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal on Friday delivered its judgment in the appeal filed by Meta Platforms Incorporated (Facebook) and WhatsApp LLC against the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), affirming the Commission’s authority and actions in nearly all the contested issues.

A statement signed by Ondaje Ijagwu, Director, Corporate Affairs of FCCPC, said the Tribunal specifically determined that the Commission complied with prevailing laws, discharged its mandate, and exercised its powers within the confines of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

It ruled that the multiple actions by WhatsApp and Meta, for which the Commission made findings of violations, were correctly identified, and that the Commission did not err in making those findings.

“In addition to upholding the major aspects of the FCCPC’s Final Order, the Tribunal awarded the sum of $220 million against Meta Platforms Incorporated and WhatsApp LLC as an administrative penalty, and further awarded $35,000 to the FCCPC as cost of investigation.

“The tribunal’s three-member panel was led by Honorable Thomas Okosun,” the statement said.

WhatsApp and Meta’s legal team was led by Professor Gbolahan Elias (SAN) while the FCCPC’s legal team was led by Mr. Babatunde Irukera. Both teams had made their final arguments on behalf of their respective clients on January 28, 2025.

PlatinumPost reports that FCCPC had on on July 19, 2024, issued a Final Order imposing a $220 million administrative penalty after concluding that the companies engaged in discriminatory and exploitative practices against Nigerian consumers.

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The case arose from a 38-month joint investigation initiated by the FCCPC and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) into the conduct, privacy practices, and consumer data policies of Meta Platforms and WhatsApp.

Dissatisfied with the Order last year, Meta and WhatsApp appealed to the Tribunal, challenging both the legal basis and the findings of the Commission.

While ruling on Meta’s appeal, the Tribunal also validated the Commission’s investigative procedures and processes.

The Tribunal resolved Issues 1 to 7 largely in favour of the FCCPC, dismissing the appellants’ objections to the Commission’s findings, orders, and legal competence.

One of the central issues (Issue 3) which alleged a breach of fair hearing, was decided in favour of the Commission, with the Tribunal affirming that the FCCPC fully discharged its quasi-judicial responsibilities by affording the appellants ample opportunity to respond.

The Tribunal found no violation of constitutional due process.

On Issue 4, which questioned the Commission’s powers in matters of data protection and privacy, the Tribunal held that the FCCPC acted within its statutory mandate, reaffirming its authority under Section 104 of the FCCPA to regulate competition and consumer protection even in regulated industries.

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On Issue 5, which challenged the Commission’s findings regarding Meta’s privacy policies, the tribunal also resolved in the FCCPC’s favour. The Tribunal found no error in the Commission’s conclusions and held that the privacy policy in question did, in fact, offend Nigerian law.

While Issue 7 was largely resolved in favour of the Commission, the Tribunal set aside Order 7 of the Commission’s Final Order, stating that it lacked sufficient legal basis.

While expressing delight at the landmark judgement, FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Mr. Tunji Bello, thanked the Commission’s legal team for their exceptional diligence and forensic skills in assembling evidence and marshalling their argument.

He restated FCCPC’s unwavering commitment to not only championing the rights of Nigerian consumers but also ensuring fair business practices in the country in accordance with FCCPA (2018) and consistent with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.