By Francis Ogbuagu
The lives of Mr and Mrs Joanki Okhiria seem to be on a smooth lane, until the 2nd of June 2023,when the foundation of their seven-years-old marriage came crashing. Joanki Okhiria ( 40 years) a businessman has shot his 32- years-old wife, Tina Okhiria , mother of two, with his double barrel gun at their Ekae GRA,Benin City home .She was hit by bullets at her left hand which led to the amputation of the injured arm from the shoulder.
Speaking to Wawa Reporters from her hospital bed at Edo Specialist Hospital, Benin City, Edo State. Mrs Okhiria said, h
er husband came back drunk and was laying on the floor in their living room,and she told him to go to the room as she perceived he was drunk.
“He was laying down on the parlour, because he was drunk,I told him to go into the room. But before he went inside the room ,he told me to warm rice for him to eat. So, I went to the kitchen and warmed the rice. I took it to him,but saw that he was already asleep. Then, I covered the food on the table and thought that when he wakes up,he may demand for another food. I collected his ATM card and withdrew seven thousand five hundred naira (#7,500) from his account,then gave the money to the wife of our security man to buy some things for me to cook for him.
“As I was preparing the food,the meat was done already. So,he woke up and I heard him asking my son,where is your nummy ? Where is your mummy? My son was trying to tell him that my mummy is in the kitchen. At that time,he started screaming .Everytime rice ! Everytime rice !! He came out of the room and came to meet me in the kitchen. I was trying to explain that I am cooking something else for you. He brushed me out and went to the fridge and collected a bottle of coke, opened it and emptied the content on my head.
So,at that time I rushed to meet his friend and told him. Look at what you friend has done to me! I did not do anything to him ll!! And he said that I should hold on. At that point,he was still shouting and screaming. And he held mythroat and was trying to strangle me. So,his friend told him to stop ,so that you will not kill her. Then he left me. When I wanted to go inside,he blocked me. So his friend closed our front door. But, my husband went to the balcony, through the back door and before I could know what was going on, I saw him with a gun. That was how he shot me. That was what I could remember.”
When asked if the man is a member of the Edo State Vigilante group or any arm -bearing organization? She said no,and
maintained that her husband,who hails from Iruekpen,Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State,has been on the habit of abusing her since the inception of their seven-years -old marriage.
“He has been in the habit of beating me, sometimes,I will pack to my sister’s house,but he will come and beg,and I will return back to him.” She said. Expressing excruciating pain!
The wife of the Edo State Governor,Mrs. Betsy Obaseki while on a visit to the hospital said ,Joanki Okhiria will face the full weight of the law and advised couple to take advantage of the provision by the Edo State Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues in the case of abuse.
“You don’t stay in any relationship and somebody will be abusing you. Even,if he is your husband and feeds you and your children. He has no right whatsoever to do that, because he did not create you. What is Marriage? Marriage is made for happiness,if you are not getting it ,you don’t have business to be there! As soon,as you notice anything like abuse,you speak up. So,that they can go and correct him,if they see that he cannot change,they will assist you to setup something and save your life and that of your children. Women are always afraid,if you keep quiet, something bad may happen to you.” She said.
The Edo State First Lady said, the suspect will face the full weight of the law to serve as a deterrent to would be offenders and promised to assist the victim procure myoelectric arm to ease the challenge of loosing her arm.
Mr Joanki Okhiria was arrested by the Edo State Police Command on the 3rd of June,2023 and was arraigned on the 15th of June,2023
