Mrs Tochukwu Benedicta Ezenma, wife of the missing vice-chairman of Dubai Estate, Awka, Anambra State, Mr. Benjamin Ezenma, popularly known as, “Big Ben” has told Justice Ike Ogu of the state High Court sitting in Awka that it was her husband’s business partner, Mr. Chukwudi Ezenwa who broke the sad news of her husband’s missing to her.
Led in evidence yesterday by the prosecution counsel, assistant director from the office of the Attorney-general, Anambra State Ministry of Justice, Mrs P. N. Ofomah, Mrs Ezenma told the court that she spoke last with her husband at about 5.33pm on 12th November, 2024 on a video call when he told her that he was going to honour a meeting invite by one “Mr . Loco” in Awka, and, that since then her husband had been missing.
She told the court that she was living with her husband and children at City Escape Estate, Guzape, Abuja in the nation’s capital territory, but, that her husband carried on his real estate business in Awka, Anambra State with his business partner, Mr. Chukwudi Ezenwa.
She told the court that after speaking with her husband through video call on 12th November, 2024, at about 5.33pm, he told her that he was going to have a meeting with Mr. Loco. She had told him that she would not bother calling him again since she knew that such a meeting normally last very late into the night. So, she told him that her next call would be the following day being 13th November, 2024.
She, however, told the court that her husband’s business partner, Mr. Ezenwa had called her at about 10am the following morning -13th November, 2024 – and inquired from her if she had spoken with her husband since 8am that day.
She said she had told him no, and, started dialling her husband’s phone number, but, discovered to her shock that the phone was switched off.
She said it was at that point that she became worried. She said she and her family members later that day went to the Department of State Service (DSS), and, lodged a report that her husband was missing.
Under cross-examination by Mr. Alex Ejesieme , a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), counsel to the 1st defendant (Ozo Jeff Nweke)in the suit marked No. A/2c/2025 : The State Vs (1)Ozo Jeff Nweke, (2) Tochukwu Nwokoye Nwosu, and (3) David Chukwuemeka Chukwunonso (Defendants), wife of missing Big Ben told the Court that except the first defendant (Ozo Nweke) whom her husband had always mentioned his name to her, she did not know any of the other two accused persons.
She said it was the DSS investigation that indicted the defendant in connection with her husband’s missing.
She also told the Court that she had told the DSS in her statement that for two years her husband had a business disagreement with his partner, Mr. Ezenwa over sharing formula of their estate business proceeds, but, that they have resolved it.
She further under cross-examination told the Court that apart from the disagreement her husband earlier had with Chukwudi over sharing formula which they later resolved, he also had issues pertaining to land with the people of Awka and Enugwu-Agidi communities respectively.
The case was adjourned to 30th of April, and 2nd of May, 2025, respectively for continuation of hearing on the matter.
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