Notorious wife beater taken to police for almost killing wife
3 min read
Mr. Elekwachi Chigozie
A Lagos-based drycleaner, Mr. Elekwachi Chigozie subjected his wife, Roseline Chidozie, to a beating that nearly cost her life. The incident occurred on Thursday, 4th May, 2003, in the couple’s rented apartment in the Ijesha area of Surulere, Lagos.
Apparently, Mrs. Chigozie had been a victim of serial domestic violence in the hands of her husband, Elekwachi Chigozie. The woman, mother of young children, had been dying slowing until she summoned the courage to report her ordeal to the DPA International Foundation. In her report to DPA, she wrote as follows: “Sir, my husband is in the habit of raising his hand at me. Little provocation he will start his treats.
“This evening now he has started and this thing affect my children they already carrying and severing simple because I’m calling my son the name I love calling him (Udodirim) which he said I should not be calling
“Before took in for this boy I was in depressed state, bereaved of the death of my father whom I Love so much, in fact I was out of myself, so by God grace I gave birth peacefully and this boy look exactly like my father.
‘I have left the house for church now. I’m texting u from church”.
Upon investigation by DPA, Mrs. Chidozie reported that she sustained permanent injury to her ear and head due to constant beatings from her husband. DPA contacted Mr. Chidozie to mediate and to urge him to stop the violence.
Mr. Chidozie became antagonistic and belligerent, insisting that he had the right to beat his wife as his way of “cautioning” her.
Alarmed by the attitude of Mr. Chidozie, DPA had to contact the police formally reporting Mr. Chidozie and seeking the intervention of the police. In the letter written and signed by the CEO of the organization, DPA stated as follows:
“In view of the fact that the Suspect (Mr. Chidozie) became hostile when we tried to reach him, we sent him a letter (attached), urging him not to beat his wife and explaining to him the consequences of doing that. The Suspect read our letter but still went ahead to beat his wife last night, in a clear arrogance and total defiance of the law. He beat the victim so mercilessly and forced her out of their house by 11:00pm without even slippers on her feet. She had nowhere to sleep. She was in the street until her sister came to her rescue. The suspect seized the Victim’s phone. She was only able to reach us with a phone she borrowed from a neighbor.
“Dear Officer, we know there is a tendency to see this type of case as something between husband and wife. But, as you know very well, domestic violence is an offense in Lagos State. It is a fundamental violation of the dignity of the human person. Besides, domestic violence has been cited as one of the leading causes of homicide. That is why the police force all over the world takes domestic violence extremely seriously. We shall leave this investigation to go in accordance with the police rules and your discretion. But we strongly urge you that this suspect be arrested, charged, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The violence has been ongoing. The man is not repentant or even remorseful. After he received our letter (attached), he accused us of dating his wife and firmly stated that he has the right to beat his wife. Therefore, this is not a case that a mere warning can solve. He needs to face the magistrate and learn the consequences of his actions. But let us leave it to your investigation. Thank you very kindly for your urgent attention to this petition.”
