The Edo State Police Command gave an explanation on Sunday for why it had arrested Christopher Owegie, whose wife had passed away on Saturday at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital.
According to a statement released by the state’s commissioner of police, Funsho Adegboye, Owegie attacked the physician who treated his wife before she passed away, leading to a brief detention.
Adegboye stated in a statement provided to newsmen in Benin by the command’s spokeswoman, Chidi Nwabuzor, that Owogie was held in safe custody, given one hour of counseling, and then released without conditions.
“On April 6, 2024, one Mr. Owegie Christopher was said to have taken his wife, who was in a state of coma, to the UBTH Benin for treatment,” the statement stated.
“The woman was attended to by a medical doctor, one Dr Osaretin Asemota, who stabilised her condition at a time but she later gave up the ghost while receiving treatment and was confirmed dead by the medical doctor.
“The news of the woman’s death enraged her husband, Mr Owegie Christopher, to the extent that he attacked and assaulted Dr Osaretin Asemota and accused him of being deceptive for asking him to buy expensive medicines for his wife when he knew she will eventually die.
“He swore to make the doctor go through the same pain he went through.”
After being saved by his coworkers and the hospital security staff, the doctor filed a complaint against Owegie at the Ugbowo Police Division in Benin, according to Adegboye.
The commissioner clarified that the husband was later caught, their statements recorded, and the suspect was placed under protective custody before being released.
“The essence of his peaceful safe custody is strategic, proactive and geared towards getting him rid of evil thoughts that may lead him to take his life or cause harm to himself and even others as a result of the agony of losing his wife,” he added.
The police commissioner gave citizens advice on how to handle problems, particularly in public, by avoiding letting their bad emotions rule their actions and always abiding by the law.
Additionally, he counseled individuals doing vital tasks to intensify their efforts in rescuing humanity and bringing joy to those they have sworn to serve.
Adegboye pleaded with the hospital’s Association of Resident Doctors, who had planned to go on strike in response to the attack, to put the plan on hold in order to protect the innocent patients under their care.
