Nigerian man accused of beating his wife to death breaks silence; says she died after childbirth, alleges negligence by her mother who forced her to deliver at home

A forensic auditor from Amaokwe Item in Bende LGA of Abia State, Mr. Samuel Chukwu, who is being accused of beating his wife, Jessica Olua, to d3ath, has denied the allegation, saying it is a false narrative to tarnish his image. 

Jessica, 24, d!ed on August 21, 2024, shortly after childbirth and was laid to rest on November 29. 

However, speaking with ABN TV, Mr. Chukwu said Jessica d!ed as a result of alleged negligence by her mother who he claimed “forced” her to give birth at home even though he had sent N25,000 to them to convey her to the hospital when she went into labour. 

He also alleged that his in-laws assaulted him and his brother when they travelled to Aba to find out what led to Jessica’s d£ath.

According to Chukwu, Jessica’s mother allegedlyj deprived her of proper prenatal care during pregnancy, labour and delivery.

Chukwu, who got married to his wife in March 2023, said there was no form of spousal abuse in their union. 

Narrating what happened, Mr. Chukwu, who resides in Lagos said immediately after their marriage, he took his wife along with him to Lagos and even invited her mum in January 2024 to stay with them to look after her during her first and second trimesters.

According to him, when she took in, he registered her at a renowned medical centre in Lagos, where she was undergoing antenatal care with clinical attention. 

He claimed to have paid in full throughout her pregnancy antenatal period along with adequate care he gave her.

He narrated that Jessica’s mother sometime in May 2024 prior to her return trip to Aba where she lives, demanded that her daughter be brought home, when the pregnancy was at its 7th month (which fell on June 2024) so that she can take adequate care of her.

Mr. Chukwu said he was reluctant to let her embark on the journey to Aba to meet her mother, but later obliged and supported the request by making all necessary arrangements and even accompanied her to the in-laws house in Aba. 

The journey was made through GUO Jibowu branch transport service on 28 June 2024.

While she was in Aba, he said he ensured that he took care of her by providing basic things she needed. 

She stayed in Aba within the period of 28 June 2024 until 21 August 2024.

“I sent feeding money monthly, amounting to N47,000, which can be verified through bank statements. I also sent toiletries and body health products in bulk from Lagos,” he explained. 

According to Mr Chukwu, on August 21, 2024, Jessica went into labour but instead of taking her to the hospital, her mother forced her to give birth at home. 

“Even though I sent N25,000 to Jessica Olua as a transport allowance to convey her to where she would deliver her child. Due to the deceit and negligence of my mother-in-law, both her and Jessica Olua stayed back at home for delivery,” he said. 

Complications, however, arose as reports had it that the baby’s placenta refused to come out.

Chukwu said that his wife had not disclosed that she was in active labour throughout their phone conversations the previous night, which was 20 August 2024. 

Apparently, this was done to conceal their intention of not utilising the transport allowance for the intended purpose.

He was shocked when his in-laws informed him that Jessica died shortly after delivery. 

He insisted that he had no quarrel with the wife and could not have been beating her from Lagos while she was in Aba from the month of June to August.

“All our communication before her death showed no signs of conflict or distress. I have WhatsApp chats and call logs as evidence, and they will be presented in court,” he said.

“Jessica and I had a peaceful relationship. There were no issues of violence or abuse (you may verify this from the tenants where I reside in Lagos). My wife’s passing was a tragic medical event, not a result of my foul play,” he maintained.

He wondered why autopsy was not requested and conducted by his in-laws before her burial.

Following Jessica’s death, Mr. Chukwu said he travelled to Aba to find out the circumstances surrounding his wife’s death.

He met with hostility as the family of his late wife allegedly attacked him and his brother. 

“My in-laws attacked me and my brother. I sustained various degrees of wound, including profuse bleeding on the face, dislocation on the leg, and swollen skull. It was the Rapid Response Squad, Eziama division of the police who were alerted, and they intervened in rescuing us from what could be described as near death experience. Despite the pain of losing my wife, I have been accused of unfounded crimes,” he recounted.

After the tragic incident, Samuel and his brother went and informed the CPS Aba division of the situation and registered the case of attempted murder on Samuel Chukwu with pictorial evidence. 

It was the DPO who issued a police report for Samuel Chukwu to be treated by the hospital of his choice.

Mr. Chukwu has urged members of the public to ignore the narrative that he killed the wife, insisting that the allegation is false and unfounded.

He said his lawyer, Chief Gabriel Emperor Ogbonna & Co is gathering evidence, including medical reports from the hospitals where Jessica had her routine medical checkups, antenatal bookings and clinical investigations in Lagos, financial records, and communication logs, to present during court proceedings to prove his innocence.

“This loss has been devastating for me and my family. I loved my wife and invested in her happiness, health, education, personal development, and wellbeing. (I have all the bank statements proof to back up these claims)These accusations are not only false but also hurtful,” he concluded.