Posted by By STAN OKEKE, Enugu on
Esther Ejeh (22), a student of Federal University of Technology, Minna, had an ambition to graduate from school in flying colours.
Esther Ejeh (22), a student of Federal University of Technology, Minna, had an ambition to graduate from school in flying colours.
Much as this ambition was not far fetched, it has been put on hold as pretty Esther Ejeh, who hails from Benue State, was on July 23, 2004, bathed with acid by unknown person(s).
Her mother, Mrs. Faith Ikpe, believes that the wicked act must have been perpetrated by one of the young men who have been making overtures at her for her hand in friendship.
"I was in the kitchen at about 7.30-8 p.m. on July 23, 2004. I was alone and it was raining that day and there was no light. I just heard a splash from behind and shouted for help", Esther began her sad story. Neighbours came to her rescue and rushed her to a nearby private hospital. She told Daily Sun that there was no reason under the sun for anybody to inflict such terrible bodily harm on her. "There's no quarrel between me and anybody, nor has my family with any other family. I can't even remember having any quarrel with anybody in school". Esther claimed that there were no advances from men in school, which she rebuffed.
Her mother, Mrs. Faith Ikpe, however, debunked this claim as she had another version to tell Daily Sun. According to Mrs. Ikpe, "I suspect some people who used to approach her for friendship, but she refused". She said that these were the only people she suspected. "They might have done this to her just to make sure that she doesn't get married to any other man. That's my suspicion". She, however, insisted that they don't know the person responsible for the heinous crime. "She just came back from school when this thing happened. Whether they followed her from school, I don't know. Or maybe, somebody else wanted to kill her. She doesn't have any problem with anybody".
Daily Sun confronted Esther, insisting that it was unimaginable that anybody could do this to her without any reason. She simply retorted: "Only God knows, only God knows". She has been at the Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu, for eight months.
Esther's mother insists that the incident was a mystery to them. "Even her schoolmates who visited her here told me she never had any misunderstanding with anybody in school. She doesn't move out of school."