Infidelity: Kogi Govt, CSOs, Condemn molestation of widow, allegedly accused of killing her husband

The Kogi State Government has condemned in strong terms the molestation and subjecting to a criminal trial of one Mrs. Blessing Abah accused of killing her husband Goodnews Akoh Abah Yakubu following an allegation of infidelity.

It was gathered that Mrs Abah was seen in a viral video were she was being subjected to a criminal trial and torture for allegedly killing her husband on allegations of engaging in infidelity in Ogugu, Olamaboro LGA, of Kogi State.

The middle aged woman according to our findings is at the mercy of her enraged in-laws and the god of the land over allegations that she is responsible for her husband's untimely death.

In the five minutes fifty three seconds trending video, Blessing was accused of removing her wedding ring and throwing it at her late husband. An allegation she denied. 

She swore repeatedly that she never had illicit affair since she married her late husband.

It was further leant Mrs. Abah got married to Goodnews Akoh Abah Yakubu last year on 31st October, 2021.

A community source told our correspondent that, " Blessing is no stranger to the customs and traditions of her people on issues bordering on infidelity.

"Her accusers alleged that her illicit affair(s) led to the sudden death of her husband. The occurrence(s) that led to her husband's death is unknown as at press time.

"However, the Ibegwu tradition of her people frowns at any man who is aware of his wife's illicit affair(s) but chose to conceal it. The punishment is often death. If the husband of a cheating woman is not aware of his wife’s extramarital affairs, the woman will suffer a strange ailment and die".

"Ibegwu (the unforgiving spirit), that our community believes in, forbids a married woman from engaging in amorous affairs with another man but stay faithful to her husband till death. It also forbids a married woman from giving monies or gifts to her relatives without the consent of her husband. 

"If Blessing confess to have committed the 'crime' of infidelity, she may escape the wrath of Ibegwu, after cleansing and appeasement. However, if she is guilty as charged but refuse to confess voluntarily, she will face the wrath of the gods.

Reacting to the development, the Kogi State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Mrs Fatima Buba Kabir said the ministry will not allow the injustice to be melted on the woman. 

She noted that the ministry has taken the matter up as the woman currently is in a safe hand.

"The ministry of women affairs and social development condemn this barbaric act and will do everything possible to see that this woman is rescued" She said. 

Also, the Executive Director, Challenged Parenthood Initiative, CPI, Eunice Abimbola Agbogun  described the inhuman treatment and ordeal metted to Mrs Blessing Abah in this age and time as seen in the video as barbaric and unacceptable.

She called on the Kogi State House of Assembly to as a matter of urgency, passed the Violence Against Prohibition Persons Bill presently with the Assembly to stem the ugly trend.

The Executive Director assured that when such bill is passed and assented to by the State Government, the scenario of citizen Mrs Blessing Abah would be drastically reduced to the bearest minimum.

She described the injustice as unacceptable to the women folks, assuring that her Organisation would not rest but work to unravel the circumstances leading to such traumatic torture of a woman in this age and time.

Our Kogi State Correspondent reports that Mrs. Motunrayo Babatunde, the Director Kogi State Ministry of Women Affairs while giving an update on the ministry involvement in the matter wrote on a social media platform which reads in part"I have spoken with a family member of the deceased (a man) who confirmed the incident and spoke about the circumstances surrounding the death of the man! 

"According to him, the parade of the lady was carried out by the aggrieved members of the community and friends of the deceased! He said, there were underline issues that aggravated the action against the woman.

"Among which are: cultural/age-long belief, affection for the deceased by his people and attitude of the lady before the eventual death of her husband.

"The man confirmed that the situation has been brought under control since yesterday, owing to the prompt intervention by the Community Development Association and the Elders and the woman is presently with her people in her father's compound.

"However, he spoke passionately and condemned the action taken against the woman. He pleaded that the community needs the presence and intervention of the Government over the case to help protect Mrs. Blessing Abah, the wife of the deceased in order to discourage further molestation against her by the hoodlums and an urgent enlightenment/sensitization of the people to forestall future occurrence in the community.

"The passage into Law of the VAPP Bill has become highly imperative to correct some of these ills and to protect the rights of the women"

Mrs. Blessing Abah and her husband were living in Lagos.

Following an illness said to require traditional medicine, the couple relocated to Ogugu, were the god’s were said to have alleged her of promiscuity following the death her husband Mr. Goodnews Akoh Abah Yakubu.

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