One Chinonso Azuatalam, of Okuku in the Owerri West Local Government of Imo State, has met his untimely death at a family peace meeting.
The deceased also known as Dakwada, was allegedly beaten to death by his younger brothers in the presence of their maternal uncles who came to resolve a disagreement centered on the sharing of their late father’s properties.
Speaking to news men, a villager said the deceased, while fighting with his immediate younger brother identified as Chibuzor, their younger brothers, who are twins, hit Chinonso with a big stick at the back of his head and he lost consciousness.
Chinonso was said to have been rushed to Federal Medical Centre Owerri, where he was pronounced dead.
The source disclosed that their sister, Chioma Azuatalam, a serving Police officer, also beat up the deceased’s pregnant wife.
The source said; on getting information that their eldest brother had been pronounced dead, the brothers fled, while the sister, Chioma was arrested by the police.
“Chinonso Azuatalam was the eldest son of the family. He had three younger brothers, Chibuzor and the twin boys. They were having serious issues with the sharing formula of their late father’s wealth.
“While Chinonso was insisting that the properties be shared equally, the three other brothers, Chioma and their mother connived to share them without his consent.
“In accordance with Igbo culture, their maternal relations from Agwa in the Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State were invited. While their uncles presided over a meeting on Tuesday, tempers flared.
“The first and second sons started fighting. While the exchange of punches lasted, one of the twins hit the first son with a big stick and he lost consciousness. He was rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
“Their sister, Chioma Azuatalam, who is a police officer, also beat the deceased man’s pregnant wife. The brothers ran away on realizing what had happened, but Chioma has been arrested.
“The deceased had two daughters and his wife is heavily pregnant” the source said.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, Orlando Ikeokwu said;
“The deceased picked up a knife and threatened to kill his mother. His sister, who is a police officer, called her two other brothers. They came and a fight ensued and one of them hit him with a wood. He lost consciousness and was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, where he was pronounced dead.
“Their sister, who is a police officer is in police custody. One of the brothers, who hit the deceased with the wood, has also been arrested.”
