… Three domestic staff arrested
The only daughter of Soboma and Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, Arebem Chukwu, has been found dead under suspicious circumstances.
The 24-year old medical professional was discovered lifeless outside the gate of their Parkview estate, Lagos home in the early hours of Wednesday, July 31.
Sources who pleaded anonymous revealed that the newly employed domestic staff, a gateman, househelp and driver, who had been with the family for only 10 days, are suspected to have staged the scene to make it appear as though Chukwu was outside the house when the incident occurred.
Evidence suggests an attempt to clean up blood inside the house and within the compound, pointing to a different narrative.
Chukwu’s father, Soboma Ajumogobia, is the younger brother of Odein Ajumogobia, a former Minister of State for Petroleum and later a former Minister of Foreign Affairs. Her mother, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia is a judge of the Federal High Court.
The source revealed, “The workers claim that she went out last night in an Uber and the driver claims he found her body near the gate this morning when he resumed. The policemen who went inside said they saw blood stains on the staircase and bannister in the house and some blood stains on the home help’s clothes.
“There are only 2 children. Chukwu’s brother got married a month ago so he now lives in Ikoyi. The Justice and her husband travelled within Nigeria. So, the 24 year-old girl was at home alone with the workers. The police believe it is an insider job.”
Expressing worry over the trend in murder cases within the estate, our source said, “This is the 4th murder in Parkview estate and the previous three were killed by their domestic staff.”
Meanwhile, when contacted, Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed that three domestic staff have been arrested in connection with the death.
“Three domestic staff have been arrested and handed over to the State Criminal Investigation Department, which has since taken over the investigation. Arebem Chukwu, daughter of Justice Offili-Ajumogobia, was found lifeless this morning at about 6:45 am at the entrance of her parents’ house on Bembe Street in Parkview Estate, Lagos,” Hundeyin disclosed.
He added that the arrest of the three suspects was initiated in line with a directive from the Commissioner of Police to thoroughly investigate the death.
