16 Months After Death, Abia Man Still Unable to Bury Wife Amid Dispute Over Cause of Death

UMUAHIA — More than 16 months after the death of his 32-year-old wife, an Abia State man, Elijah Ndubuisi Amah, says he is still unable to bury her as a dispute over the circumstances surrounding her death continues.

Amah’s wife, Nkechi Florence Elijah, died on April 9, 2025. Her remains have since been kept in a mortuary, with the widower appealing to the Abia State Government, police and other authorities to intervene.

“I only want to bury my wife,” Amah said, describing his prolonged efforts to secure the release of her remains as frustrating.

Amah, a former councillor and petty trader from Umuzomgbo in Ihechiowa, Arochukwu Local Government Area, alleged that the Traditional Ruler of Umuzomgbo ancient kingdom, HRM Eze Linus Nto Mba, opposed his efforts to bury his wife and accused him of having a role in her death.

The 54-year-old denied the allegation, saying neither his wife’s family nor his own family had accused him of killing her.

He said his in-laws had made statements to the police, including an affidavit, supporting the release of Nkechi’s remains for burial.

Repeated arrests and failed burial

According to Amah, he initially planned to bury his wife on April 26, 2026, after making the necessary arrangements, but the burial did not take place.

He alleged that he was arrested again on the day of the scheduled burial, following an earlier detention over the matter.

Amah said he was first arrested on April 11, 2025, two days after his wife’s death, and taken to the State Criminal Investigation Department, where he remained until May 16, 2025, when he was granted bail.

He further alleged that he was arrested again on September 2, 2025, at the instance of the traditional ruler and remained in detention until December 17, 2025, when he regained his freedom following a court order.

Amah said the dispute was also connected to his calls for greater accountability in the community, particularly over the management of revenue from two telecommunications masts and the conduct of the annual New Yam Festival.

He alleged that the traditional ruler told members of the community that about ₦12 million had been received from telecommunications companies over 17 years, while also claiming to have personally spent about ₦8 million on grading community roads.

Amah said his demands for clarification over the funds resulted in tensions between him and the traditional leadership.

He also alleged that some community leaders who supported his position were removed from office.

Traditional ruler denies persecution

Eze Linus Nto Mba rejected Amah’s allegations, accusing him of attempting to damage his reputation with what he described as fabricated claims.

The monarch said concerns were raised over the circumstances surrounding Nkechi’s death, leading to calls for Amah to report to the police for investigation.

According to him, the police indicated that an autopsy should be conducted to determine the cause of death.

He also claimed that funds had been provided for the procedure and that Amah was invited to participate but failed to appear.

Nto Mba maintained that he was not responsible for the police investigation or the delay in the burial.

“If his hand is clean, the police want to know how his wife died,” he said, insisting that the investigation was necessary to establish the facts.

The monarch also denied allegations that he was persecuting Amah over demands for accountability concerning money from the telecommunications masts.

He said the funds received by the community had been accounted for, adding that he had personally spent money on community projects.

Deceased’s family rejects autopsy

David Onyema, the deceased’s elder brother, said the family’s priority was to bury Nkechi and perform the necessary burial rites.

Onyema said he had made a statement at the State CID but insisted that the family did not want an autopsy because it was against their tradition.

He said the family had no reason to believe that Amah was responsible for Nkechi’s death.

“There was never any report of assault or violence against my sister,” Onyema said.

He also questioned why the burial had remained delayed despite what he described as a court order directing that Nkechi be buried within 24 hours.

Former community leader urges caution

A former President-General of the community, Elder Kalu Obasi, said he could not accuse Amah of killing his wife because he was not present when she died.

Obasi, a retired principal, said he returned from the farm to learn that Nkechi had taken ill and was taken to hospital.

He said he was unaware of any serious disagreement between the couple that would suggest violence.

“Murder is a serious criminal case, and you must have your facts,” he said, urging authorities to rely on evidence rather than accusations.

Police: No evidence linking husband to death

The Abia State Police Public Relations Officer, Maureen Chinaka, said there was currently no evidence linking Amah to his wife’s death.

Chinaka said neither the deceased’s family nor Amah’s family had accused him of killing Nkechi.

She confirmed that the State CID was aware of tensions between Amah and the traditional ruler before the woman’s death, particularly over demands for accountability regarding funds from a telecommunications mast.

According to the police spokesperson, the traditional ruler subsequently alleged that Amah killed his wife but had not provided evidence to substantiate the claim.

Chinaka said police examination of the corpse found no mark of violence and that there was no basis at that stage to conclude that Nkechi had been murdered.

She explained that an autopsy by a pathologist would ordinarily provide a definitive determination of the cause of death, but the deceased’s family and husband had opposed the procedure on traditional grounds.

The matter was subsequently referred to the Department of Public Prosecutions, which advised that the interests and wishes of the family should be considered, particularly because both families said they did not suspect Amah and wanted the deceased buried.

Chinaka said the family had been asked to come to the State CID to discuss the procedures required for the release of the remains.

“There is no evidence for now showing that he killed his wife,” the PPRO stressed.

For Amah, however, the prolonged delay has left him desperate for closure.

“I want justice. I want my wife buried,” he said.