The suspended Transition Committee Chairman of Nnewi North Local Government Area in Anambra State, Mr Mbazulike Iloka, whose wife, Chidiebere, died in controversial circumstances, has been arrested by the state police command.
It was gathered that Iloka’s arrest was consequent upon a petition by the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria on Monday, which was addressed to the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba.
This is just as the state government has instituted an independent probe to unravel the real cause of the death.
The council boss was suspended by the Anambra State Government last Friday, pending the conclusion of investigation into the alleged murder so as to avoid any interference.
A source told our correspondent that the suspended LG chairman is currently being detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka, Anambra State.
The state police spokesman, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the arrest to our correspondent on Wednesday.
Ikenga, however, called for caution from the public, saying that the case was being investigated as an autopsy would prove the cause of the wife’s death.
“He is in our custody now and we urge the members of the public to be patient as the autopsy shall prove the cause of the wife’s death. Meanwhile, investigation is still ongoing please,” Ikenga added.
HURIWA, according to sources, reportedly dragged the suspended council boss to Baba over issues bordering on domestic violence.
Consequently, the state government has engaged a team of medical experts to conduct an autopsy on the deceased.
The team comprises experts from within and outside Anambra, and is also made up of representatives of the family of the deceased, the family of the deceased’s husband, the Commissioner for Police, the state government and Nzukora Nnewi.
It was gathered that the body of the deceased was deposited at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, where the autopsy would be carried out.
Speaking to our correspondent, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, said the state governor, Prof Charles Soludo, would attach all seriousness to the outcome of the autopsy, adding that the governor wants a process that would be very transparent and revealing.
The commissioner, who is also part of the team conducting the autopsy, prevailed on experts to do their best to ensure that every party involved in the matter is satisfied, adding that the autopsy is not for the dead but for the living to learn.
On her part, the Commissioner for Women and Children Affairs, Mrs Ify Obinabo, said the result of the autopsy would bring to an end all the rumours flying around about the issue.
The lead pathologist who is representing the state government from the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Dr Gerald Forae, said the result of the autopsy, which would last for three hours, would be out in two weeks.
Forae explained that it would be submitted to the state government through the state Attorney General.
The embattled council chair had claimed that his late wife slumped and died while serving him food.
