Expectant mother of nine in police net for murder over bunch of plantain

Esther Godday

Expectant mother of nine in police net for murder over bunch of plantain

LAGOS – A 32-year-old mother and wife, Esther Godday, who developed a coldness of heart from her inability to care for her nine biological children has landed in the police net after her attempt to steal a bunch of plantain led to the murder of another woman.

Esther got married to her husband, Mr. Godday, in 2010, and together, they have nine children, while expecting the tenth as she was eight months pregnant at the time she was taken into custody by the Police.

It was gathered that Mr. Godday had been unemployed for several years and hardly spent time at home, preferring to leave the house in the morning and return late at night. This heaved the responsibility of sustaining the home to Esther, who shared with the Police that none of her children were in school.

On Wednesday, January 28, 2024, Esther Godday had, in her customary way, left her kids at home and went into town in their little village of Agada in Abua to forage for anything that could serve as food.

Agada residents are primarily farmers, and the village has plantations littered around it, run by family groups.

Esther was said to have discreetly entered one of the plantations, a plantain plantation, and quickly harvested a whole bunch and made to make away with it. As she attempted to sneak past one of the exit points of the plantation, she was sighted by the family member on duty at the plantation, Mrs. Imeran Idema. Imeran, machete in hand, immediately accosted her and asked her to surrender the bunch.

READ ALSO:

“Drop that plantain” Imeran was said to have shouted as she approached Esther, who also had a sharp machete with which she had illegally harvested the bunch of plantains. She thought about the consequences on her hungry children if she handed the bunch to Imeran and refused to acquiesce to her demands. She instead bolted towards another exit. Imeran ran after her, and as she gained on the fleeing woman, she threatened to use the machete on her. The threats made Esther stop running and face her.

An altercation ensued, which led to Imeran landing a blow on Esther’s right foot, giving her a gash. Esther dropped the bunch and launched attacks with her own machete. She hit out with the machete, giving two significant cuts on Imeran’s head and shoulder. As Imeran collapsed in pain, Esther quickly left the scene, abandoning the bunch of plantains and fled. Members of Imeran’s family who heard her screams came to her aid, took her for medical treatment, and reported the case to the Police.

The Police arrested Esther and, after questioning her, released her to receive medical attention for the cut on her foot. She was rearrested two days later, and when she got to the Police station, she got the information that Imeran had died. Esther, who has been charged to court, expressed her remorse and regret to the Police while she was in custody and said she prayed daily, wishing the deed could be undone.

In reaction to the case of Esther, the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Police Command, CP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, stated that people need to think carefully before making life choices. He also charged heads of households to procreate within their means and to lead responsible lives.

CP Disu also highlighted the dangers of responding to our emotions. He warned that a crime will always be met with justice regardless of the prevailing circumstances.