*Abia First Lady flies her to Lagos for possible surgery; describes suspect as barbaric
*Diagnosis reveals extensive throat, stomach damage
By Steve Oko
Wife of Abia State Governor, Dr. Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu, has personally taken over the treatment of 10-year old maid, little Miss Ifunaya Ede whose Mistress, Mrs. Esther David allegedly forced to drink hot water mixed with pepper as punishment for breaking a plate.
The victim hails from Enugu State while the suspect whose husband is said to be based abroad, is from Imo State but lives in Umuahia, Abia State capital.
She was said to have got married early last year, and is into fashion & design as well as catering services.
READ ALSO: Woman bathes husband with hot water mixed with pepper
Miss Ifunaya was said to be a victim of serial child abuse but the latest incident happened when she allegedly broke a plate in the course of her domestic chores, and her mistress decided to force her to drink hot water as punishment.
The mistress was said to have mixed pepper with hot water and forced the maid to drink, an allegation she flatly denied, claiming that hot water accidentally poured on the maid while carrying out her duty in the house.
Following injuries the maid sustained, the mistress was said to have secretly taken her to a chemist for treatment.
But suspecting some foul play considering the severity of the injury, the chemist declined from handling the case and referred her to the hospital.
When the truth eventually surfaced on how the maid sustained the life-threatening injury, the police were involved to interrogate the mistress who was said to have allegedly started making plans to leave the country.
As the pathetic video of the abused maid went viral, the attention of the Governor’s wife was drawn to the incident and she also waded in.
The Abia First Lady who paid an unscheduled visit to the hospital ward where Ifunaya was initially admitted, expressed shock at the horrific injuries on the body of the child.
She described the action of the mistress as “very inhumane and barbaric”.
According to a release by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor’s wife, Mr. Chika Ojiegbe, medical investigations revealed that the girl had allegedly been victimised for more than a year.
The First Lady who has directed her personal physician to join the medical team battling to save the life of the maid, also vowed to ensure the poor girl got justice.
“When I saw the pictures of the injuries on the girl I immediately reached out to the Commissioner of police, Mrs Janet Agbede. She assured me that the perpetrator will be charged to court.
“I also directed the State Action Committee Against Gender Based Violence to follow up on the case and work with stakeholders including FIDA, Child Protection Network, NAPTIP and others and ensure things are done right.
“I am certain that justice will be gotten to serve as deterrent to others who are in habit of viciously maltreating our children.
“I…
Read more:: Housemaid forced to drink hot peppery water for breaking plate battles for life
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