Woman bathed with acid by fiancé dies

Twenty two-year-old Chika Egbo, who was bathed with acid by her fiancé, David Sulaimon, in Ikotun, Lagos, died at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, in the early hours of Thursday.

Her death is coming six weeks after the November 5 attack that left her without the use of her nose, eyes and mouth.

She was fed through a pipe, connected to her neck.

At the hospital on Thursday, Chika’s father, Matthew, stood at the front of the mortuary, looking forlorn.

Matthew told PUNCH Metro, amid sob, “Her body has been transferred to the mortuary. She died around 1am today (Thursday).

“I looked at her about four days ago and realised her eyes had changed. The doctors later told me the eyes were condemned. She really suffered these past three days. I prayed to God that if it was His wish, God should take her life so that her suffering would cease. She suffered so much.

“The police have come to get the necessary details. The investigating police officer said he had to go to the court in order to prepare documents that will authorise an autopsy.”

He added that he wished the process would be hastened to enable him to take the body of his daughter for burial after the autopsy.

Chika’s death coincides with the hearing of the case at an Ebute-Meta Chief Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, on Thursday, where Sulaimon is facing trial for the assault.

At the court, Chika’s family was represented by three lawyers, Mr. Nnabuike Edechime, Mr. Ben Edechime and Mr. Vincent Onwo, who are handling the case pro bono (free of charge).

The lawyers had expressed their concern about the bail granted the accused person when he was first arraigned.

They also informed the court that the victim had died.

But the Chief Magistrate, Mr. O. Olatunji, said the offence (attempted murder), which Sulaimon was charged with, was bailable.

He however said he did not approve his release since he could not perfect the bail conditions.

It was learnt that Sulaimon had remain in custody since he was first arraigned.

The prosecution applied to the court for a substitution of the attempted murder charge for murder.

Olatunji adjourned the case till January 9, 2013 for the hearing on the charge substitution.

Chika, a student of the Enugu State College of Education, fell in love with Sulaimon and had a child for him.

Their relationship had gone sour, after which Sulaimon allegedly invited her to Lagos from her Enugu base under the pretext that his mother wanted to see her.

Sulaimon poured a substance believed to be acid on Chika, resulting in extensive burns on the upper part of her body.

Chika underwent three surgeries to remove the destroyed tissues and reconstruct her face.

Matthew said Chika’s mother had not been informed about her daughter’s death. He said she would probably be informed on Friday (today).

Culled from the PUNCH