- Imo State Government rescued Mrs. Chika Ndubuisi, a widow allegedly forced by her husband’s kinsmen to drink corpse water to prove innocence.
- The incident in Awo-Omamma, Oru East LGA, drew the attention of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare.
- Commissioner Lady Nkechinyere Ugwu condemned the act, calling it barbaric and outdated.
- The First Lady, Chioma Uzodinma, ordered an investigation to ensure those involved face the full weight of the law.
The Imo State Government has intervened in a disturbing case where a widow, Mrs. Chika Ndubuisi, was rescued from her husband’s relatives who allegedly forced her to drink water used in washing his corpse to prove she was not responsible for his death. The incident occurred in Awo-Omamma, Oru East Local Government Area, and sparked outrage after being exposed by a women advocacy group.
Following the alert, officials from the Imo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, led by Commissioner Lady Nkechinyere Ugwu, moved swiftly to save the widow from further humiliation. Ugwu condemned the practice as “cruel, inhuman, and totally unacceptable,” stressing that no woman should be subjected to such demeaning treatment in the name of tradition.
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She expressed disappointment that such barbaric widowhood rites still exist in modern society, adding that Mrs. Ndubuisi was already traumatized by the loss of her husband before being accused of killing him by his family members.
The Commissioner revealed that the ministry worked with the Local Council Authority and security agencies to rescue Mrs. Ndubuisi and her children. She confirmed that some arrests had been made and that the government had placed the widow and her children under protection while investigations continue.
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In a related development, the wife of the state governor, Chioma Uzodinma, directed that a thorough investigation be carried out to ensure justice is served. The Commissioner assured that the government would continue to protect the rights of women and eliminate harmful cultural practices that violate human dignity.
