.By Paul Eso
Residents of Oboama community in Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State have been thrown into confusion following an allegation involving a married woman and mother of four, Mrs. Juliet Ezinne Chikama .
The incident was said to have taken place on the night of August 20, 2024, during activities surrounding a traditional marriage ceremony within the Njoku family compound.
According to accounts from family sources, Mrs. Njoku was allegedly discovered in a private situation with another woman inside her matrimonial home. The identity of the second woman has not been confirmed.
Speaking with reporters, a man identified as Mr. Cosmas, who described himself as a brother-in-law to Mrs. Juliet Chikama , said he entered the room while attempting to retrieve drinks kept there for wedding guests.
“I went to the room to pick some drinks because some expensive items for the ceremony were stored there. I did not expect anyone to be inside, so I did not knock. When I opened the door, I saw something that left me completely shocked,” he said.
He further claimed that the women later pleaded with him not to disclose what he had seen. He also alleged that they attempted to persuade him to remain silent through various promises, which he said he rejected before alerting other family members and elders present at the event.
Community sources say the matter is currently being discussed among family elders, with no official police report filed as at the time of this report.
“We want to allow the elders to address it traditionally first before deciding the next step,” Mr. Cosmas added.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that Mrs. Juliet Chikama and the other woman who came from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where she was residing, for the ceremony, may have left the community shortly after the incident, reportedly out of fear of possible public backlash.
Efforts to get a reaction from Mrs. Juliet Chikama’s husband, Mr. Emmanuel Njoku, were unsuccessful, as he declined to comment when contacted.
Nigeria’s Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, signed into law in 2014, criminalises same-sex marriage and civil unions. The law prescribes penalties of up to 14 years imprisonment for entering into such unions and up to 10 years for participation in related associations.
As of press time, no official statement has been released by the police and other local authorities regarding the matter.
