The Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, has demanded justice for late gospel singer, Osinachi Nwachukwu who was alleged to have died as a result of domestic violence.
The Minister paid a condolence visit to the family of the late singer at Arco Estate, Abuja, on Monday, April 11th April.
“The Honourable Minister has after her visit been compelled to demand on behalf of Nigerian Women and Mothers, for two things: Justice for the late ‘Ekwueme’ crooner who was alleged to have died as a result of gender-based violence (GBV) perpetrated by the husband, as well as full protection for the children left behind by the late singer,” the statement read.
“Even though reports had it that the late singer was hospitalized for throat cancer disease before her death, social media claims would just not go away that she suffered GBV in the hands of her husband.
Dame Tallen who asked for a private session with the children of the deceased disclosed that her findings compelled her to make the demands for justice for her and protection for the children for the things they disclosed to her away from prying eyes.
The minister said, “It is so traumatizing, so heartbreaking, the death of Osinachi.
“When I came into the compound, I saw the children, four beautiful children; three boys, one girl. He (Peter) had told the children that they should not speak about the things that have been happening in the house.
“I came in with all the directors in the ministry. When I was asking questions, I saw that the children were not forthcoming. I excused everyone and said I wanted to have a one-on-one with the children.
“I first spoke with the first son. I asked him, ‘Do you love your mother?’ He said, ‘Yes’. ‘Has your mummy taught you to tell lies?’ He said, ‘Yes’. I asked him if she is still alive and he said she is dead. ‘Do you know that she is now your angel and she is now watching you?’ He said, ‘Yes’. ‘So, it will be very sad if you tell lies’.
“I introduced myself and I told him the President is concerned, every Nigerian is concerned, we all join them to mourn Osinachi’s death but what we want from him is the truth.
“Then he opened up… And said that their dad used to beat their mom and their mom was always sad. He would beat her and flog her. He said their father would gather them in the room and be beating them and if the mom comes into the room to stop him, he would turn back on her and beat her up. And that has always been the issue
“They said it was their mom that runs around on her gospel music, comes back with her money, in fact, if the money is paid through (a) bank account, it was paid into his account. She has no account of her own, any money she has, he collects it and gives her just peanut for feeding and when she cooks, he started shouting and beating her. And their mom was living in fear and was always sad.
“It was such a horrible story from a young boy that is said to be just 12. I asked him what class he is and he said Class Five. At the age of 12? I said, ‘Why?’ And he said he can’t even read. So, mentally, this child is already destroyed.
“I was battling with tears and when he finished, I called on the second son.”
Tallen further said “the second son repeated the same horrible situation” as well as the third son.
The minister vowed that justice would be served on the matter as it would be followed to a logical conclusion.
“Presently, the children of the deceased were being cared for by a family friend, Mr. Sunday Achino from the Church where the late singer worshipped – Dunamis Church,”
Dame Tallen was accompanied on the condolence visit by her Permanent Secretary, Engr. Olufunso Adebiyi,members of Civil Society Organizations, Directors of Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, with protection from security details attached to Her Excellency’s Office.
“The Minister’s entourage did not meet the late singer’s husband who was disclosed to have been taken into protective custody by the Police, but she embraced the children and encouraged them to speak to her and the Permanent Secretary after she demanded that her entourage should disengage and allow her to have a private session with the children,”
“After her long private session with the children, the Honourable Minister emerged to demand justice for the late singer stating that even though the extent of allegations and stories on social media should be taken with caution.
“There is no smoke without fire!,” she stated. “I have confidence in the Police and the Judicial system to ensure justice for the late singer; and I also demand that the children should be offered special protection; those are what the Nigerian women, whom I stand to represent are demanding of this situation.”
