A landlady identified as Amaka Okonkwo is currently in custody at the Nimo police station, for allegedly pouring hot water mixed with pepper on her tenant, identified as Imabong William, over a disagreement on a rent increment.
The incident, it was gathered, happened at Enugwu-Ukwu in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State late on Thursday.
An eyewitness said trouble started between both parties when the suspect asked the victim to vacate the house over her inability to pay the new rent, noting that her rent had expired in July.
The victim, who hailed from Akwa Ibom State, is currently receiving treatment at Zion Hospital, Nawfia.
She said: “I requested more time from my landlady to enable me to get a new place, but unfortunately while I was washing my clothes on Thursday, the landlady poured hot water mixed with pepper on me from behind.”
The Woman President-General of the community, Chiegbunam Nwosu, and Florence Okoye condemned the act, stating that the community is not in support of the dastardly act meted on the victim.
The women also visited Nimo Police Division where the DPO assured them that the case will be transferred to the state CID for onward investigation and consequently maintain peace and order in the community.
Upon interrogations, the husband of the suspect, Ebere Okonkwo, who was also seen at the hospital on Saturday, denied any involvement in his wife’s actions.
Okonkwo stated that, although he was at home at the time of the incident, he was not aware of his wife’s intentions toward their tenant.
The state Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Mrs. Ify Obinabo, who rushed to the hospital where the victim is recuperating, thanked Enugwu-Ukwu women for their timely intervention in the situation and for arresting the perpetrator.
She expressed displeasure over the incident and promised to get justice for the victim.
Obinabo warned that the state government will not take lightly anyone found culpable of assault of any kind, advising the public to always report crimes and misdemeanors at the appropriate channels for quick intervention.
