A Non-Governmental Organisation, South East Integrity Group (SEIG) has faulted Enugu State Governor, on the alleged maltreatment of his wife, saying more than anything else, his Press Conference in Enugu on Wednesday has confirmed that he actually abused and maltreated his wife.
A statement by Dr. Ken Ugboaja and made available to Daily Review Online, said the press conference has further exposed the Governor as being wicked and uncaring.
It would be recalled that while speaking with newsmen in Enugu on Wednesday, Chime said it had become imperative for him to clarify issues about his wife’s health challenges going by the campaign of calumny against his person.
“Well, my wife has some medical challenges and it would be very unkind for me to talk about her condition on the pages of newspapers,” the governor said.
“I have done everything to protect her integrity and I am not now going to expose her to ridicule because some people want to exploit her situation to drag me into a needless war of words.
“We’ve been battling this prior to my inauguration in 2011. It was so bad at a time that she had to be taken out of here (Governor’s Lodge) for treatment.
“When she stabilised, I pleaded with her doctors if she could be brought back here to be receiving her treatment at home and they graciously accepted.
“There was a time she was confined indoors and that was strictly on her doctors’ advice. She’s here and she can confirm or deny it. Also, the doctors then advised against allowing her access to telephones and her laptop.”
The governor said his wife was safe in the Government House, adding that her confinement within the premises was at the instance of her doctor who was present at the briefing.
“Why would I want my wife locked up? If it had been that I had issues with her, there are many ways to resolve them. But that’s not the case. She is not well and I’m willing to do anything to support and protect her.
However, SEIG said: “ First, we think it is wrong for Chime to have confined her to Enugu for over three years now. When he had his own health challenge, he went abroad to take treatment and was there for over six months. Now he is back, why has he not deemed it fit to take the woman abroad for treatment if he can go abroad for his own treatment does it mean the wife does not deserve a better treatment?
“When you analyse their statement properly, you will understand that up till now the woman is still in confinement. She says she is only allowed to come outside government house on Sundays and our question is why? If she is stable to come out on Sundays as they claim, why not other days?”
During the Press conference, the wife admitted that she wrote a letter to her doctor, (Dr Agumuo) and another doctor overseas whom she was introduced to and wondered how the letter leaked to the public
She also admitted that she was once confined to a room without access to her telephone and laptop, saying: “that was when I had a serious crisis.”
On the current situation, Clara said she had the key to her room and controlled her entry and exit.
She said, however, that her grouse was that she had not been allowed to leave the premises except on Sundays to attend mass.
“Both families are billed to meet very soon and after that, I’ll take a decision which will be in the interest of both parties,” the governor said.
On his reaction to a purported petition to the inspector-general of police by renowned lawyer, Chief Femi Falana, the governor said: “He’s my professional colleague but sometimes you leave people to their conscience.
“I won’t join words with him. Has he met this client of his as he claimed to assess her state of mind and determine if she can give him the right brief to guide his case? Did he ask for access to her or to me and was denied? I leave it at that.
“That’s the penalty you face as a public officer. When I was receiving treatment in London, some of the newspapers reported that I had died in India.
“I’ve never been to India and had never applied for an Indian visa. Today, the story is that I’ve imprisoned my own wife in my residence. I know their motives but I wish those behind such wicked tales well.”
Clara, who was present during the briefing, denied sending any petition to the National Human Rights Commission alleging unlawful detention by her husband.
She also denied contacting or engaging the services of Falana or any other lawyer to seek her freedom from an alleged incarceration at Government House, Enugu.
For a long time, Clara could not speak, prompting her husband and brother, Mr Tony Igwe, to persuade her to speak.
At a point, her brother took her to an adjacent room where they spent some minutes after which Igwe assured the people that she was willing to talk.
After some long silence, Clara said: “You (the governor) and my doctor can speak on my behalf.”
The governor replied: “Yes, I’m your husband and should ordinarily do so but you know I’m the one being accused of detaining you. This way, I’ve lost that privilege to speak for you, at least on this case.
SEIG has however, urged Falana to go ahead with the case , even as it called on other human rights organiusations to take up the matter and ensure that Clara receives the best medical treatment ever.