Posted by By TUNDE RAHEEM, Akure, and JULIANA FRANCIS, Lagos on
A Nigerian woman has been murdered in Dallas Texas, United States of America, a day after her 46th birthday. Mrs Monireti Abeni Akeredolu, a nurse, was shot in the head four times in her car by a gunman who calmly drove away after the dastardly act.
A Nigerian woman has been murdered in Dallas Texas, United States of America, a day after her 46th birthday. Mrs Monireti Abeni Akeredolu, a nurse, was shot in the head four times in her car by a gunman who calmly drove away after the dastardly act.
A witness at Mayhield apartments, 2900 Block, Mayfield Road, where the incident happened on September 8, 2005, said the killer drove a Lexus car.
Among those arrested by detective was Monireti's estranged husband of 16 years, Ebenezer Akeredolu, 48. He was said to have been arrested by the police four hours after the murder, after he allegedly crashed his Lexus car.
Mr Akeredolu was charged with murder, but later granted bail in the sum of $100,000. It was further learnt that he has remained in prison custody following his inability to meet the bail conditions. The murder trial continues.
Already, the tragedy has sparked a row between the families of the couple, both of whom hailed from Owo town in Ondo State.
Angry relatives of the deceased were said to have stormed the husband's family compound spoiling for war. They reportedly, however, met the compound deserted, the inhabitants having fled on getting wind of the impending reprisal attack.
A family source told Daily Sun that Monireti's death was particularly painful as she was the bread winner of the family. Before her death, Monireti allegedly complained several times to her relations about the trouble in her marriage, but efforts to resolve the rift came to nought.
It was gathered that the couple's marriage hit the rock when Akeredolu allegedly fell from being a rich man who bought designer wears for his wife, to one who sold ice cream in Atlanta, Georgia. He had also allegedly lost his big mansion by the lake in Arlington, a Dallas suburb and a fleet of cars.
Akeredolu was said to have told friends that he suspected his wife was having an affair. He was said to have later discovered that the man dating his wife was a Nigeria-based notable entertainment promoter and socialite (names withheld), married to a popular Yoruba actress (names withheld). It was learnt that aside the popular actress who had two kids for the socialite, the man has another wife in London.
One of Monireti's friends said: "It was her determination to keep her relationship with… that caused this mess. She worked hard here in the States but spent it all on… She went to Nigeria more than three times this year to see him."
When Monireti's belongings were being moved from her apartment, several Western Union money transfer receipts to the tune of thousands of dollars sent to the entertainment promoter were found.
Daily Sun gathered that friends and relatives converged on September 17, at the Moore Funeral Home, 1219 N. Davis, off Randol Mill Road, Arlington Texas, to say goodbye to Monireti. A trust fund has been set up by friends for her son, Ebenezer Akeredolu, Jnr.
The deceased is survived by her mother, Mrs Animotu Adetula, a brother and two sisters.