By Akinwale Kasali
Men of the State Criminal Investigative Department, SCID, Panti,Yaba, Lagos State, are Investigating the death of Benue born maid, Joy Okom, allegedly killed by her boss, Fortune Steve.
The death of Okom remains a mystery, following her Madam’s statement that she hung herself and committed Suicide in the home where she is a maid at number 18 Ogundola street, in the Bariga area of the state.
Allegation from the deceased family has it that Okom was beaten to death by her boss, claiming that nothing could have warranted her committing suicide as claimed by her boss.
According to Okom’s elder brother, Philips Ejeh, he got information that the woman beat his sister to death hung her body up so as not to leave traces that she murdered her.
The deceased was said to have started working as a maid for the woman in order to raise money to further her education in January, sadly, her dream was shattered.
However, policemen were said to have noticed some marks on Joy’s body when they got to the scene and after a critical analysis of the crime scene and the corpse, suspected a case of murder.
The corpse was evacuated to the Yaba General Hospital for autopsy, while Fortune was apprehended and the case transferred to the SCIID for further investigation.
Fortune denied the allegation that she killed the victim, adding that Okom had already made up her mind to stop working for her, but could not leave her house because of the lockdown.
She added that she had already made up her mind to let go of Okom since her attitude towards work hadn’t been encouraging, indicating she had lost interest in the job.
“An agent, Johnson Odewu, brought Okom to work in my place on January 10, 2020. She worked with my family for a while, but all of a sudden, she became reluctant to work; so, on April 9, I spoke with her and involved her relative, Blessing, who told her to behave.
“But when nothing changed, I decided that she should go and gave her N15,000 as her salary. She left around 7am.
“I was cooking when my husband told me that Joy was still around and when I spoke to her, she said she could not get a vehicle because of the lockdown.
“When Blessing, who was waiting to pick her up in Oshodi did not see her, she called and I explained what transpired and we both concluded that Joy should stay with us till the lockdown was over”, Fortune Stated.
The Police are yet to unravel the mystery behind the death of Okom, as investigation is said to still be ongoing.
Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkanah, confirmed the arrest of Fortune and the death of the maid, but said when the truth is unravelled after the Investigation, the media will be fully briefed.
