A man accused of beating his wife to death has been detained at the Homicide Department of the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Owerri, Imo State.
The suspect, Kelechi Prince Okeke, a native of Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State, is alleged to have assaulted his wife, Olumma Chizoba Lucy Akataobi, from Abia State, during a domestic dispute on Monday, February 2.
According to the deceased’s sister, Ezinne Akataobi, the incident was triggered by a disagreement over ₦35,000, which Olumma reportedly asked her husband to release to her. Olumma was said to be a trader at Relief Market in Imo State, where a customer purchased goods worth ₦35,000. When the customer’s initial bank transfer failed, Olumma reportedly provided her husband’s bank account details, into which the payment was successfully made.
Reports state that upon returning home and requesting the money to restock her business, an argument allegedly broke out between the couple, during which Olumma later died.
However, it has not been officially confirmed that Okeke caused his wife’s death. The suspect reportedly told authorities that Olumma was eating when she suddenly complained of chest pain, screamed, vomited, and collapsed.
The deceased’s family has rejected this account, insisting that Olumma did not die of natural causes and is demanding justice. Her sister said the family had repeatedly encouraged Olumma to leave her marriage and return home, adding that despite their assurances of support, she would often pack her belongings but eventually return to her husband.
Meanwhile, security authorities in Owerri have taken over the matter, and investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of Olumma’s death.