By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Anambra State Government has dissociated itself from any news in circulation on purported “Preliminary” report of autopsy conducted on late Mrs Chidiebere Iloka.

Late Mrs Iloka was the wife of suspended Transition Chairman of Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Mr. Mbazulike Iloka, who was alleged to have killed his wife.

An official letter to that effect jointly signed by the Commissioner of Justice/Attorney-General; and Commissioner for Health and Commissioner for Women and Children Affairs on behalf of the State Government and made available to journalists in Awka by the Press Secretary to the State Government reads in part:

“Anambra State government dissociates itself from any news in circulation or purported “preliminary report” of autopsy conducted on late Mrs Chidiebere Iloka. We coordinated the autopsy examination and appointed two experienced Consultant Pathologists out of the six that participate in the examination and wish to state categorically that no conclusive autopsy report has been issued by the team of Pathologists.

“As a responsible government with strong commitment to rule of law and justice for all, we have a responsibility to ensure that justice is done and seen to be done. Given the general public interest in the case and in the interest of transparency, we must also keep the public fully informed. We hereby summarise the content, recent development and the position of the government as follows:

“On August 7, 2022, the social media was awash with photos of a lifeless lady (almost in her underwears and torn clothes), with significant bruises on all sides of her face. A massive national debate ensued with calls for justice. The elder brother of the deceased, Mr. Uchenna Ezenwoye through his Lawyer, D.O Ezeonwuka. Esq, and on the 12th of August, 2022, submitted a strongly worded petition addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State entitled “HOMICIDE AND GRUESOME MURDER OF MRS.CHIDIEBERE ILOKA (NEE EZENWOYE BY MBAZULIKE ILOKA. A CALL FOR YOUR INTERVENTION AND JUSTICE)”.

“In the said petition, Mr Uchenna and Ezenwoye averred among others that Mr Mbazulike Iloka is a person known for his several and continuous beating of his wife. (LATE MRS. CHIDIEBERE ILOKA, NEE EZENWOYE) to the extent that family members have times without number warned Mr Mbazulike Iloka to stop his acts of beating his wife...but to no avail...that he (UCHENNA EZENWOYE) “on several occasions advised Mbazulike Iloka not to beat his wife for whatever reason but he refused to take the wise advice rather he boasted that nobody will come to his house and tell him how to marry his wife and that he can do and undo and nothing will happen.”

Continuing, the statement said: “Uchenna EZENWOYE further averred that Mbazulike Iloka had before now, threatened to kill his wife, late Mrs Chidiebere Iloka (New Ezenwoye).” Mr. Ezenwoye averred that “Mr Mbazulike Iloka gruesomely murdered late Mrs Iloka (Nee Ezenwoye) without justification.”

“As a government with zero tolerance for domestic violence (let alone one that allegedly to death) as well as the fact that the accused, Mbazulike Iloka was an appointee of government, we decided to take every necessary step to ensure justice for both the dead and Mr Iloka. We decided to coordinate the autopsy process and invited the families if the deceased and the accused to nominate representative pathologist and each nominated two. The Government appointed two, making a team of six. At a meeting, before the autopsy on 26 August, 2022, it was agreed that the tests/result would be processed/ready within 2-6 weeks. Even as at today, 30th August, the result of the toxicology is still being awaited.

“Surprisingly, the next day , August 27, 2022, (barely 24 hours after the autopsy process begun, and samples taken for laboratory tests including toxicology tests) the same elder brother rushed to swear an affidavit claiming “That an autopsy already conducted on our sister on 16/8/2022 by a team of pathologists has shown that the deceased was not killed. That based on the outcome of the autopsy, myself, my family have resolved to discontinue the case.” Subsequently, two days later, on 19th August 2022, the father of the deceased, Chief Emmanuel Ezenwoye wrote to the Inspector General of Police, (copied to the Anambra State Governor, Commissioner for Women Affairs, state Commissioner of Police, etc) and entitled and titled, “DISSOCIATION OF MYSELF, MY WIFE, AND OTHER CHILDREN FROM THE PETITION WRITTEN BY HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION, AGAINST MR MBAZULIKE ILOKA ON THE 15TH AUGUST, 2022 TO YOUR GOOD OFGICE”.

“In the said petition, Mr EZENWOYE averred that the pathologist that represented the family during the autopsy gave his three children PRELIMINARY BRIEFING after the said autopsy suggestive of the fact that my said daughter, Chidiebere was not murdered and was not beaten up at all.” (How does an autopsy result show that someone was not beaten up at all?”) He subsequently prayed the Inspector General of Police to release his in-law, Mbazulike Iloka, “unconditionally”. Then on the 24th of August (barely 8 days into the process without the result of the toxicology, tests and without the knowledge or the consent of other Pathologists in the team, especially the two Consultant Pathologists appointed by government, the Pathologist appointed by the family issued his personal preliminary findings speculating about the possible cause of death.”

The concluding part of the government statement said that there are too many puzzling questions, saying that it will be left for another day.

It added: “A few facts are worth emphasizing. First, there is no autopsy result agreed to by the Pathologists that conducted the autopsy. What the Pathologist representing the family issued as his preliminary result is his opinion and the Consultant Pathologists appointed by government dissociates themselves from such.”

It queried reasons behind the family of the deceased extreme rush to issue preliminary result or to swear affidavit, noting that it was designed to pre-empt the final result and hence, put pressure on other Pathologists in the team.

“Second, not all members of Ezenwoye agree to the confusing and conflicting statements from the family. Some are ready to testify otherwise. Third, we have testimonies regarding the huge pressure and even threats on members of the family, leading to the twists and turns in their stories. Finally, allegations of domestic violence and homicide/MURDER are weighty criminal matters against the state and no longer matters within the discretion of the family to “pursue or withdraw”. It’s all within the purview of the state it is now within the powers of the police to investigate/prosecute or the state government to initiate the process of a Corona enquiry.

“In the light of the foregoing, it is the view of Anambra State government that; given the unprofessional conduct of pre-emptive issuance of “preliminary” autopsy report without waiting for the results and contrary to rules of conduct agreed to by the team of Pathologists, the integrity of the autopsy process is called to serious question. The government hereby withdraws the team of Pathologists appointed by her for the process.”

It urged police to professionally and thoroughly investigate the two allegations of domestic violence, including homicide and murder, adding that it will reserve further steps pending the outcome of Police investigations.

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