An estranged couple is at loggerheads over the death of their six- year-old daughter.
The wife, Mrs. Adebori Oladunni, petitioned Ondo Police Command requesting the police to help unravel the actual cause of their daughter’s death.
She said she was informed by her husband their daughter, Ajijolaoluwa Esther, died on August 6th and has been buried.
In the petition addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Bolaji Salami, the bereaved mother alleged her daughter must have been used for ritual purposes if she was actually dead as claimed by the father.
Oladunni, who has since separated from her husband, Mr Raphael Ajijolaoluwa, said all indications pointed to the fact the child must either be kidnapped or used for ritual purposes.
She stated the circumstances surrounding the ‘death’ of the girl were suspicious and urged the Police to exhume the remains to confirm if the girl was dead or kept for other purposes.
According to the petition on her behalf by her Counsel, Mr. Mufutau Adegboye, Oladunni said her daughter was hale and hearty as at the time she visited her in school.
The petition reads: “Sometimes in 2019, our client approached a customary court for dissolution of their eleven years old association due to belligerent behaviours and atrocities exhibited and committed by Mr Ajijolaoluwa Raphael.
“The court ordered among other that the custody of the three children should be with Ajijolaoluwa Raphael while our client should be permitted to visit except at night.
“But surprisingly in deviating to the order of the court, Mr Ajijolaoluwa Raphael did not give our client access to her children despite the fact that both of them are living in the same town.
“Surprisingly as Friday 6th August, 2021, information got to our client that the last born of our client, Esther Ajijolaoluwa was dead on Tuesday, 3rd of August and was buried without the knowledge of our client.
“Our client reported the matter at Ore Divisional Police Station. It was when Mr Ajijolaoluwa Raphael reported at the station that he confirmed to our client that truly Ajijolaoluwa Esther had died and since been buried without the knowledge of our client.”
But her husband said he informed the wife’s family about the death of the girl before she was buried.
He said the court gave him custody of the children because the estranged wife claimed she was too busy to stay back at home to cater for the child who he said was sickly.
Ajijolaoluwa accused the wife of causing the ill-health of the child before they got separated, saying he had spent a fortune to ensure the child stayed alive.
“There is no problem. It was my wife that took the child to Onitsha where she had convulsion and she was given injection.
“Since then, she has not been growing well and could not do anything herself. If you see the child you will pity me,” she said.
Ondo Police spokesman, DSP Funmilayo Odunlami, said the Police would investigate the matter and get to the roots of the matter. (The Nation)
