by Isi Esene

The sleepy village of Ubiane Aviele, near Auchi in Edo State was thrown into confusion recently as 35-year-old Zenab Agbontine axed her husband to death for refusing to eat the food she prepared for him.

Mrs. Agbontine, a mother of three children said her late husband, Egberise had expressed his intention to break up the marriage saying he was no longer interested. A decision which apparently did not go well with the housewife.

According to Edo State Police Commissioner, Foluso Adebanjo, the couple had allegedly been having relationship issues for more than a week before the incident happened.

Reports say Egberise had returned from office, took his bath and got ready to go to bed when the suspect informed him that his food was ready. He, however, refused to eat the food choosing to sleep instead.

Read the Sun report below;

The chain of events that ultimately led to the tragic death of Egberise began long before the incident Zenab told Sunday Sun in an interview. She said: “I have been having quarrels with my husband for a long time. We tried to settle the matter without success. One day, my husband came back from the office and told me that he was not interested in the marriage anymore.

“I pleaded with him but he refused. I prepared food for him but he refused to eat the food. With annoyance he went to sleep. At about midnight when my husband was asleep I went to the kitchen and I took the axe and cut him on the neck several times, he struggled until he died. It was the devil that used me. I didn’t know what prompted me to kill him but maybe because he said he was not interested in the marriage again.

“The family of my husband should forgive me. I am calling on the elders in the community in Auchi to forgive me because it was ignorance and the devil that used me as I now realize that I didn’t exercise enough patience with my husband.”

Though Zenab has resigned herself to the fate awaiting her after trial, the future of the three children she had with the late Egberise is her primary concern now. Amidst tears, she remarked on the uncertain future of her children: “I know I will face the consequence of my action but the question is, who will take care of my children. I have three children for him. Their father is dead and their mother is on the way to the prison. It is only God that will take care of my children.”

Adebanjo stated that the suspect would be charged to court for murder.