…As Mother Accuses Step Son Of Killing His Elder Brother
IRUEKPEN (Ekpoma) – This is not the best of times for the Ihongbe family as the good intention of their patriarch, Pa John Ihongbe to gift one of his sons a parcel of land has seriously divided the polygamous family, created jealousy and even resulting in the alleged killing of one Ehis Ihongbe.
According to information reaching our news desk, trouble started for the family of Pa Ihongbe on the 23 of October 2015, whom at the request of one of his sons Odia Ihongbe gave him a parcel of land as part of his inheritance.
This it was learnt, gave Ehis Ihongbe and his mother, the impression that their father has handed over the family choice property at Abia in Iruekpen to Odia Ihongbe who is not even the eldest child or son in the family.
The family source who preferred to speak on the condition of anonymity, explained that after Pa Ihongbe gave Odia Ihongbe the parcel of land at Abia, they all came to the house at No 6 Idumegbede Street, Iruekpen in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State where grudges and quarrel began among the family.
“This did not go down well with Mrs. Felicia Ihongbe and his son, Ehis Ihongbe who openly and vehemently confronted their father, opposing to the handing over of the said land to his younger brother.
Speaking further, the source said: “Our father’s first wife i.e. Ehis’s mother queried the decision behind the gifted land, emphasising that her son who is the eldest, had earlier requested for the same land but her husband had refuse.
“Consequently, rift and several scuffles ensued leading to violent fights and threats between the step brothers and among the family”, the source said.
“It got to a point where dangerous weapons like kitchen knives, planks were used by both brothers, leading to a loss of tooth by Odia Ihongbe.
“on one of such fights, when our father’s sixth wife saw that one of them had lost a tooth and was bleeding profusely, she had to scream for help.
“Ever since this land issue erupted, it has been terrible and this family has never known peace. And now, we just find out that Ehis is dead. It is really painful”, the source added
However, the mother of Ehis Ihongbe has accused Odia Ihongbe of killing his son over the land issue, since he had earlier threatened to deal with him.
Speaking further, Mrs. Ihongbe said that Odia Ihongbe had told his Ehis that if he ever see him in that parcel of land, he would do something unimaginable to him.
“What else could be more unimaginable than killing my Ehis this December 27, 2015? He cannot kill my son and go away scot free. He must pay for this”, Mrs. Ihongbe sobbed
As at the time of filing in this report, the whereabouts of the said Odia Ihongbe could not ascertained as it has been reported that he had gone into hiding for fear of his life.
In the meantime, uneasy calm pervades the whole Iruekpen community as security operatives appear set to forestall any breakdown of law and order.
