— Minority leader calls for arrest of perpetrators
Condemnation has trailed the inhuman treatment meted to a widow, Mrs. Amarachi Okechi by her community, Umueghu in Amaegbuato autonomous community Nkpa Bende Local Government, Abia state.
The woman according to reports, she was accused of being a witch and having a hand in the death of her husband.
In a viral video, she was seen being whipped mercilessly by some young men in the community.
A social media influencer, Harrison Gwamnishu had taken to his page to condemn the ugly incident.
He wrote, “When I talk about widows protection, I’m not asking for too much. Our mothers suffer the most from child delivery. Mrs. Amarachi Okechi, a widow was accused of witchcraft by her late husband brother’s wife.
“If you are from Umueghu in Amaegbuato autonomous community Nkpa Bende Local Government, Abia state, your community did this to this woman.
“Even when the woman was begging and telling them she’s innocent, they tied her hand to her back, tied her two legs, flogged and filmed her. Her children reached out to the Behind Bars and we have decided to take this matter up no matter what it will cost us. This is barbaric and should be condemned by all.”
Condemning the incident, Hon. Chijioke Chukwu, Minority Leader of Abia State House of Assembly described the act as barbaric, wondering why the community should take laws into their hands.
He called on the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Janet Agbede to immediately arrest all those involved in the dastardly act.
The lawmaker also pledged to liaise with the DPO in Bende and Uzuakoli to arrest the perpetrators.
He expressed willingness to collaborate with other officials of government from the Bende to ensure that all involved are identified, arrested, persecuted and punished according to the law.
He said he will liaise with his colleague from Bende South constituency to provide a free legal service to Mrs. Amarachi Okechi and his children said to have been mercilessly beaten by the community.
