ADVERTISEMENT

Pregnant woman, baby, beaten to death by husband [Graphic Photos]

A pregnant woman has been reportedly beaten to death by her husband alongside her baby in another case of domestic violence.

The late Engr. Chinyere and her killer husband, Obinna Akaleme on their wedding day

According to a Facebook user, Ukan Kurugh, Chinyere Sylvia Akaleme, a victim of serial domestic violence was murdered by her husband, Obinna Akaleme, alongside their baby, on the very day she was supposed to put to bed.

Kurugh, a human rights activist based in Benue State, took to his Facebook page to give an account of the incident that led to the brutal murder of the lady, an engineer who was a manager with an organization in Ikeja, Lagos State.

Read what Kurugh posted on his wall:

'Domestic Violence: The untold story of Engr. Chinyere Sylvia Akaleme [Nee Igbo]

ADVERTISEMENT

The menace of domestic violence in Nigeria and it is implications on the families of the victims.

Unfortunately for Sylvia or Chinyere as she was fondly called by family and close friends, she did not live to tell her own story. She was cut down in her prime by the man she loved till death did do them part, Obinna Akaleme, her husband.

She died on the day she was due to give birth after series of miscarriages in her husband’s house.

A brief biography of the victim:

ADVERTISEMENT

Chinyere Sylvia Akaleme (nee Igbo) was born on April 27, 1981, into the family of Mr. and Mrs. Reginald Chiaka Igbo. The second child and first daughter of the family with six other siblings, Sylvia was raised in a middle-class Catholic family residing in Ajao Estate, Lagos where she had her nursery, primary and secondary education.

She was a very bright pupil and her position in class never went below the top three. She gained admission into the University of Ilorin in Kwara State where she read Electrical Engineering and graduated with second class honours.

She started a career in Information Technology and quickly got several professional qualifications including Sisco, in her academic profile. She started her working career with Karox Computers before moving on to Reliance Info Systems Ltd. where she became a Product and Sales Manager. Her last job was with the Wini Group, an Ikeja based corporation.

In 2012, she met and married Obinna Akaleme, a farmer/chef/kitchen assistant and thus began her journey to an untimely death in the hands of the man she loved so much and catered for.

She died on the on March 29,  2017, and she was committed to mother earth at the Ikoyi Cemetery on July 19, 2017.

ADVERTISEMENT

What Happened?

Her parents and siblings never knew Chinyere endured several years of abuse in the hands of the man she called a husband. She assumed the role of a typical Nigerian wife who must always display a non-existent happiness in a marriage filled with sadness and regrets.

The only clue about what happened to her during her over five years of marriage was the account of the neighbours who narrated how, on a particular night, Obinna, her husband, beat her up and she ran to their landlord's house for safety.

Also, the little girl who lived with her revealed that Chinyere warned her not to tell her parents that her husband used to beat her up even while she was over eight months pregnant.

That explained the reason behind the series of miscarriages she had before her last pregnancy which was full term.

ADVERTISEMENT

Her parents, worried that their daughter had about four miscarriages in less than four years, decided to take her to stay with them when she became pregnant after another miscarriage.

She lived peacefully with her parents and her pregnancy advanced with Chinyere in good health and high spirits anticipating the birth of her child.

Unfortunately for her, on her due date, her husband came to pick her up from her father’s house at 10 am to the hospital and as the dutiful wife she was, she obeyed him and went with him.

According to the doctor, the mother and the baby were confirmed healthy on arrival and the doctor asked her to go get her bag in preparation for delivery that evening. Obinna took Chinyere to their matrimonial home.

Sadly for Chinyere, he got into an argument with her over money, beat her up so badly and left her unconscious in the house. He left the house and switched off his phone and her phone so no one could reach them.

ADVERTISEMENT

He left her in the house and every attempt made to reach them was futile. He later returned and took her to the hospital when he discovered she was dying at about 4.30 pm and did not deem it fit to contact her parents or siblings.

He did this so as not to run the risk of her coming out of the coma and telling her family her ordeal at the hands of her husband. It is also worthy to note that the hospital where she died is less than a hundred meters from her parent’s house.

Obinna eventually came to her parents' house around 8.30 pm to tell them she had passed on. Further findings from her siblings and the doctor’s confirmation revealed that Chinyere was brought to the hospital practically dead. The doctor decided to do a cesarean session to try and save the baby but it was all in vain.

Chinyere’s sad story is one among millions of Nigerian women who fall victims to sexual and emotional predators because they want to be accepted by the society at large.

They hide their ordeal from the very people that can rescue them. Their families. Women nowadays​ pretend that they are in happy marriages even when the obvious signs say otherwise.

ADVERTISEMENT

For how long will we keep up with this trend of pretending all is well when it obviously isn’t? Must we live a lie for societal acceptance? Let’s come together and say no to domestic violence and spousal abuse.

There are many families like Chinyere’s who wish their children had remained single and lived with them instead of getting married and killed by their partners. Enough is enough!"

Kurugh did not, however, indicate if the alleged killer husband has been arrested by the police or what actions the parents have taken to seek justice for their killed daughter.

See his posts here.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

7 do's and don’ts of the Holy month of Ramadan

7 do's and don’ts of the Holy month of Ramadan

Top 5 sweetest celebrity mother-child relationships that stand out for us

Top 5 sweetest celebrity mother-child relationships that stand out for us

International Women's Day: 5 Nigerian female celebrities championing women’s rights

International Women's Day: 5 Nigerian female celebrities championing women’s rights

Top 5 female directors in Nollywood

Top 5 female directors in Nollywood

6 things that will break a Muslim's fast during Ramadan

6 things that will break a Muslim's fast during Ramadan

5 benefits of fasting during Ramadan

5 benefits of fasting during Ramadan

Dos and don’ts of supporting Muslims during Ramadan

Dos and don’ts of supporting Muslims during Ramadan

Here are common things people rarely dream about

Here are common things people rarely dream about

5 young women who embody Y2K and alte fashion

5 young women who embody Y2K and alte fashion

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT