Mr. Fortune Edighotu and his late wife on their wedding day
A woman identified as Ms Minates Edighotu has begged for the life
of her brother, Mr. Fortune Edighotu, who lost his wife in a tragic fire
accident, only to be arrested by his brother-in-law, Corporal Kelechi
Emmanuel of the Police Mobile Force in Port Harcourt on the allegation
that he (Fortune) killed his wife.
of her brother, Mr. Fortune Edighotu, who lost his wife in a tragic fire
accident, only to be arrested by his brother-in-law, Corporal Kelechi
Emmanuel of the Police Mobile Force in Port Harcourt on the allegation
that he (Fortune) killed his wife.
The arrested man has been languishing in the state CID, Port
Harcourt for months as the police has refused to either charge him to
court or release him as is required by law.
Harcourt for months as the police has refused to either charge him to
court or release him as is required by law.
The photos above shows Mr. Fortune Edighotu on his wedding and
traditional marriage days. Squatting in the pix with bowler hat and
T-Shirt is MOPOL Corporal Kelechi Emmanuel, his brother-in-law who has
kept him locked up.
traditional marriage days. Squatting in the pix with bowler hat and
T-Shirt is MOPOL Corporal Kelechi Emmanuel, his brother-in-law who has
kept him locked up.
Read the full story below:
False Accusation of My Brother as a Murderer.
On the 20th of September 2016 my brother Mr. Fortune Edighutu
received a call from a hospital around his neighbored Immanuel Clinic to
report to the Clinic immediately. He ran as fast as his legs could
carry him down to the clinic and to his greatest shock found his beloved
wife and son lying in a hospital bed burnt by fire. Demanding from her
how it happened she said she was filling the kerosene lamp with kerosene
while the lamp was still lit. So there was an explosion and fire caught
both mother and child. The whole kitchen and parlor was in flames but
mysteriously nothing got burnt.
received a call from a hospital around his neighbored Immanuel Clinic to
report to the Clinic immediately. He ran as fast as his legs could
carry him down to the clinic and to his greatest shock found his beloved
wife and son lying in a hospital bed burnt by fire. Demanding from her
how it happened she said she was filling the kerosene lamp with kerosene
while the lamp was still lit. So there was an explosion and fire caught
both mother and child. The whole kitchen and parlor was in flames but
mysteriously nothing got burnt.
Neighbors came to rescue them and rushed them to that nearby
hospital. They spent a night there at the hospital after the nurses and
doctors did the needful. That same evening my brother called me and I
spent the night too with them in the hospital, the next day upon
discovering that the bills were much for us so we decided to go to a
government clinic where the bills will be considerably affordable. So
after dressing the wound the next morning and bandaging them, we went to
the house first so that she could rest a while possibly the next day or
two we can go to BMH. We got home, I made food, cleaned the house, we
ate and rested. In the evening of that day, a lady came to the house and
they were speaking in the Igbo language. I didnt understand the exact
things they said but I only know they were making arrangements for
treatment because the lady was writing down some items. So this was how
the plans of going to the hospital (BMH) was quashed!
hospital. They spent a night there at the hospital after the nurses and
doctors did the needful. That same evening my brother called me and I
spent the night too with them in the hospital, the next day upon
discovering that the bills were much for us so we decided to go to a
government clinic where the bills will be considerably affordable. So
after dressing the wound the next morning and bandaging them, we went to
the house first so that she could rest a while possibly the next day or
two we can go to BMH. We got home, I made food, cleaned the house, we
ate and rested. In the evening of that day, a lady came to the house and
they were speaking in the Igbo language. I didnt understand the exact
things they said but I only know they were making arrangements for
treatment because the lady was writing down some items. So this was how
the plans of going to the hospital (BMH) was quashed!
My brother started buying the items the nurse wrote down and
treatment commenced almost immediately so the nurse, Mrs. James was
treating her in their home. The treatment from the home too was still
consuming finance, because my brother was always buying the different
items needed per time. During that period, there was virtually no day my
brother was not going to market or chemists shop to buy things needed
for treatment ranging from drugs to bandages, Vaseline etc. After three
weeks when we discovered that there was no visible improvement, that was
when Mrs. Joyce agreed to be taken to BMH. During the time we were in
the house, her mother (mother-in-law) would come around, stay for few
days and go back. So on the 11th of October we took her first to Mile
One Clinic and later in the night to BMH. At BMH, they initially refused
to attend to us because they said the injury had been infected already,
after much plea she was admitted the next day. I left late that night
to my residence at Iwofe.
treatment commenced almost immediately so the nurse, Mrs. James was
treating her in their home. The treatment from the home too was still
consuming finance, because my brother was always buying the different
items needed per time. During that period, there was virtually no day my
brother was not going to market or chemists shop to buy things needed
for treatment ranging from drugs to bandages, Vaseline etc. After three
weeks when we discovered that there was no visible improvement, that was
when Mrs. Joyce agreed to be taken to BMH. During the time we were in
the house, her mother (mother-in-law) would come around, stay for few
days and go back. So on the 11th of October we took her first to Mile
One Clinic and later in the night to BMH. At BMH, they initially refused
to attend to us because they said the injury had been infected already,
after much plea she was admitted the next day. I left late that night
to my residence at Iwofe.
The treatment commenced and bills were settled accordingly. My
brother struggled to pay these bills because he does not have a steady
job. He is into entertainment and has jobs mostly on weekends. So he was
in the hospital with her all through. The mother was still coming and
going. She was not steady. During the period, my brother and his
mother-in-law had a misunderstanding, where she accused our family of
setting the fire to burn her daughter. So this led to a fight between my
brother and his wifes younger brother.
brother struggled to pay these bills because he does not have a steady
job. He is into entertainment and has jobs mostly on weekends. So he was
in the hospital with her all through. The mother was still coming and
going. She was not steady. During the period, my brother and his
mother-in-law had a misunderstanding, where she accused our family of
setting the fire to burn her daughter. So this led to a fight between my
brother and his wifes younger brother.
Meanwhile after my brother was robbed, he retrieved his line and
started using his wifes phone, since he had all the contacts to make. He
actually bought a phone but the phone didnt work. So he started using
has wifes phone till date! There was a day Kelechi Emmanuel came to my
brothers house and threatened him that if his sister should die nobody
in my brothers family will drink tea whatever that meant!
started using his wifes phone, since he had all the contacts to make. He
actually bought a phone but the phone didnt work. So he started using
has wifes phone till date! There was a day Kelechi Emmanuel came to my
brothers house and threatened him that if his sister should die nobody
in my brothers family will drink tea whatever that meant!
On the 6th of January 2017 Kelechi Emmanuel my brothers in-law
ordered for my brothers wife to be taken to village. My brother refused,
since there was improvement already in her health after the herbal
medicine woman started work on the 30th of December 2016. My brother
opposed the idea of taking her to their village but his wifes brother
overruled and they finally took her to their village in the company of
one Mrs. Christy and the wifes younger brother, the same that fought
with my brother in BMH. As they were leaving the wife even asked for
money but my brother told her no money for now, but that by Tuesday the
following week, he will definitely send money across through Mrs.
Christy. So they left in a cab to Umufeke, my brother wife, her brother
CJ and Mrs. Christy.
ordered for my brothers wife to be taken to village. My brother refused,
since there was improvement already in her health after the herbal
medicine woman started work on the 30th of December 2016. My brother
opposed the idea of taking her to their village but his wifes brother
overruled and they finally took her to their village in the company of
one Mrs. Christy and the wifes younger brother, the same that fought
with my brother in BMH. As they were leaving the wife even asked for
money but my brother told her no money for now, but that by Tuesday the
following week, he will definitely send money across through Mrs.
Christy. So they left in a cab to Umufeke, my brother wife, her brother
CJ and Mrs. Christy.
While they were on the road my brother would call from time to time
to know how far their journey had gone and how his wife was doing. But
at that their village then as always network issues so he couldnt reach
them at some point. But much later that same day, he called Mrs. Christy
and she said she was back in Port Harcourt and that his wife was okay.
to know how far their journey had gone and how his wife was doing. But
at that their village then as always network issues so he couldnt reach
them at some point. But much later that same day, he called Mrs. Christy
and she said she was back in Port Harcourt and that his wife was okay.
The next day 11th of January, my brother received a call from the
village that he should come that his wife is really down. The caller,
the village Chief did not state clearly what happened.
village that he should come that his wife is really down. The caller,
the village Chief did not state clearly what happened.
Another caller a village pastor asked him to come that his wife was
dead. Habba! A wife he has been taking care of since September 2016 to
January 2017 didnt die. Then just a day after she was taken to the
village, she died! It was unbelievable. So he waited to hear from the
people that took her to the village or at least from her own parents
directly. But they never contacted him. He kept calling this Mrs.
Christy she wasnt taking calls. In the evening at about 7:00pm the
younger brother that took her to the village called and I took the call
and CJ told me she died the previous day while they were on their way to
the village.
dead. Habba! A wife he has been taking care of since September 2016 to
January 2017 didnt die. Then just a day after she was taken to the
village, she died! It was unbelievable. So he waited to hear from the
people that took her to the village or at least from her own parents
directly. But they never contacted him. He kept calling this Mrs.
Christy she wasnt taking calls. In the evening at about 7:00pm the
younger brother that took her to the village called and I took the call
and CJ told me she died the previous day while they were on their way to
the village.
Mrs. Christy was still not picking up her phone until I suggested
he call her with my phone and she took. He asked her if she knew what
has happened she said no! She has not heard anything like that. That
nobody has called her to tell her. Habba! So he asked her, but CJ said
she died on the way to the village she said no, its not true. She didnt
die in the vehicle.
he call her with my phone and she took. He asked her if she knew what
has happened she said no! She has not heard anything like that. That
nobody has called her to tell her. Habba! So he asked her, but CJ said
she died on the way to the village she said no, its not true. She didnt
die in the vehicle.
For the records up till this time, they have not formally; I mean
my brothers in-laws, come to inform him of his wifes death. The Kelechi
that came to the house and took his sister to the village against her
husbands wish, has not even called him on phone, let alone accord him
the respect of a husband to at least pay him a visit and formally tell
him how it happened, the way it should be done in a core African
traditional society. Rather my brother was hearing the news of his wifes
death through the grapevine, no formal information from the people that
took bride price from him and ate his food and drink. Now it was police
officers that were inviting him to the police station. He did not marry
his wife in a police station, so he couldnt honour such invitations.
my brothers in-laws, come to inform him of his wifes death. The Kelechi
that came to the house and took his sister to the village against her
husbands wish, has not even called him on phone, let alone accord him
the respect of a husband to at least pay him a visit and formally tell
him how it happened, the way it should be done in a core African
traditional society. Rather my brother was hearing the news of his wifes
death through the grapevine, no formal information from the people that
took bride price from him and ate his food and drink. Now it was police
officers that were inviting him to the police station. He did not marry
his wife in a police station, so he couldnt honour such invitations.
As a result of his bereavement he could not stay in his house alone
again, so my mother asked him to come and stay with us. He has being
with us since then. But all these while, Kelechi goes to his house in
the night to look for him with guns. During this period our family too
was trying to put things together to go and see her people. Because of
the threats we have been receiving from her people, we were being
careful while still making arrangements for the visit and subsequently
the burial.
again, so my mother asked him to come and stay with us. He has being
with us since then. But all these while, Kelechi goes to his house in
the night to look for him with guns. During this period our family too
was trying to put things together to go and see her people. Because of
the threats we have been receiving from her people, we were being
careful while still making arrangements for the visit and subsequently
the burial.
The caretaker to my brothers apartment had been calling him to
clear his properties so he can rent out the apartment. So on Wednesday
last week, 5th April 2017, My brother went to move some things to a
nearby house, in the company of our family friend, Henry Tene. At about
10pm, Kelechi stormed the compound firing into the air, used tear gas on
them and commanded them to lie down and he flogged them with koboko and
stepped on them with his boot.
clear his properties so he can rent out the apartment. So on Wednesday
last week, 5th April 2017, My brother went to move some things to a
nearby house, in the company of our family friend, Henry Tene. At about
10pm, Kelechi stormed the compound firing into the air, used tear gas on
them and commanded them to lie down and he flogged them with koboko and
stepped on them with his boot.
That our family friend miraculously escaped, ran home and narrated
their ordeal. That night we alerted the police because the scenario was
typical of a kidnap case, we didnt know where he took him to because
while he was torturing them, Kelechi was saying he will kill my brother
slowly that night. So were so worried and called everyone we knew could
help. We went to report to Mopol 19, (Kelechis), station that was when
he mentioned that my brother had been taken to SCID. But the previous
night he was taken to Kala police station to be tortured and beaten
thoroughly by his colleagues and criminals.
their ordeal. That night we alerted the police because the scenario was
typical of a kidnap case, we didnt know where he took him to because
while he was torturing them, Kelechi was saying he will kill my brother
slowly that night. So were so worried and called everyone we knew could
help. We went to report to Mopol 19, (Kelechis), station that was when
he mentioned that my brother had been taken to SCID. But the previous
night he was taken to Kala police station to be tortured and beaten
thoroughly by his colleagues and criminals.
Now Kelechi is alleging my brother killed his sister. He claims
that before his sister died, two days before he came to pick his sister,
that my brother (her husband) forced something into her mouth and that
after she took it her stomach started troubling her. He accused my
brother of not taking care of his wife, not giving her food, not
sleeping in the house anymore. All these are lies. If he was not staying
at home with her, who was assisting her when she wanted to ease
herself, washing all her soiled clothes. He claims my brother was not
even in the house when he came to carry the sister, but it was right
there before my brother they took her away. And immediately he even went
to the same Kala to report that his wife had been taken to the village
by her people.
that before his sister died, two days before he came to pick his sister,
that my brother (her husband) forced something into her mouth and that
after she took it her stomach started troubling her. He accused my
brother of not taking care of his wife, not giving her food, not
sleeping in the house anymore. All these are lies. If he was not staying
at home with her, who was assisting her when she wanted to ease
herself, washing all her soiled clothes. He claims my brother was not
even in the house when he came to carry the sister, but it was right
there before my brother they took her away. And immediately he even went
to the same Kala to report that his wife had been taken to the village
by her people.
Based on these false allegation my brother has been detention since then.
On the 4th of December they were discharged from BMH because the
wound was not improving still from BMH they were referred to UPTH for
skin grafting which involved huge amount so they went to the house then
his people said they wanted to take her to village. But they didnt do
that immediately. On the same day they came back from BMH at around
10:15pm my brothers brother in-law who is a corporal, Kelechi Emmanuel
came to the house that the DPO of Kala police station asked to see him.
Habba! He was detained for 18 hours upon his release, he was forced to
sign an undertaken at the police station before he was released. Kelechi
alleged that my brother abandoned his sister, that he didnt take care
of her and that he is the cause of the fire. How did he abandoned her
all when he paid all the bills; and he never left her side.
wound was not improving still from BMH they were referred to UPTH for
skin grafting which involved huge amount so they went to the house then
his people said they wanted to take her to village. But they didnt do
that immediately. On the same day they came back from BMH at around
10:15pm my brothers brother in-law who is a corporal, Kelechi Emmanuel
came to the house that the DPO of Kala police station asked to see him.
Habba! He was detained for 18 hours upon his release, he was forced to
sign an undertaken at the police station before he was released. Kelechi
alleged that my brother abandoned his sister, that he didnt take care
of her and that he is the cause of the fire. How did he abandoned her
all when he paid all the bills; and he never left her side.
Did I mention that she couldnt walk as she was bedridden. So when
she wanted to wee or pooh my brother had to hold out the bowl for her.
He was washing all the wrappers and bandages she used. He was the one
cooking, doing all the chores.
she wanted to wee or pooh my brother had to hold out the bowl for her.
He was washing all the wrappers and bandages she used. He was the one
cooking, doing all the chores.
My father contracted a herbal nurse to come and treat her since
white medicine did not work. Did I mention that while they were in BMH
that my father would go there give out money for her treatment still
give mother and daughter pocket money. My father was the one supporting
my brother with the bills. So this herbal nurse, a police woman
commenced and in a matter of days there was visible difference even from
the surface as it changed from reddish color to brownish color. Even
the water coming out of the surface of the wound was dried up. The
patient herself confessed that there was improvement. During the period
of this treatment something happened, she went mute couldnt utter words
anymore. My brother called our mum that she could talk anymore, so we
started praying for God to at least restore her speech.
white medicine did not work. Did I mention that while they were in BMH
that my father would go there give out money for her treatment still
give mother and daughter pocket money. My father was the one supporting
my brother with the bills. So this herbal nurse, a police woman
commenced and in a matter of days there was visible difference even from
the surface as it changed from reddish color to brownish color. Even
the water coming out of the surface of the wound was dried up. The
patient herself confessed that there was improvement. During the period
of this treatment something happened, she went mute couldnt utter words
anymore. My brother called our mum that she could talk anymore, so we
started praying for God to at least restore her speech.
Now I did not mention that my brother was and is still using her
phone, her sim is still on him (my brother) so how did he Kelechis
sister contact him.
phone, her sim is still on him (my brother) so how did he Kelechis
sister contact him.
Kelechi heard this and claimed that something suspected to be
poison has been forced down his sisters throat, but he did not do
anything about it he did not raise an alarm, but he rather forcefully
took her to the village. It is after she had died that he comes to claim
she told him.
poison has been forced down his sisters throat, but he did not do
anything about it he did not raise an alarm, but he rather forcefully
took her to the village. It is after she had died that he comes to claim
she told him.
All these are just a way of incriminating my brother. They have
seen his innocence and they know their daughter dying in their hands is a
serious case, so they are trying to shift the blame to my brother and
his family by heaping lies.
seen his innocence and they know their daughter dying in their hands is a
serious case, so they are trying to shift the blame to my brother and
his family by heaping lies.
But in all these let justice prevail and let my brothers innocence be proven beyond doubt.