By Albert Akpor & Ifeanyi Okolie
POLICE in Lagos have arrested a middle-aged man for allegedly beating his wife to death. The man simply identified as Kunle Adeola reports say, was in the habit of beating his wife to a state of coma for any slight provocation.

The deceased wife, Mrs. Oluwatoyyin Adetola, who lived with his estranged husband on 107 Community Road Bariga, had prior to her death complained bitterly to her father that she was opting out of the relationship for lack of love and battery.  The father was said to have told her to go back to her husband promising to speak to the husband.

However, trouble was said to have ensued between the deceased and her husband on December 15,  leading to a heated argument during which the husband allegedly pounced on her and dealt several blows on her.  She reportedly slumped and died on the spot.

Sensing danger, the husband took to his heels and went into hiding while concerned residients and sympathisers went to report the case to Bariga Police Station. A search party was set up, which led to his arrest Monday.

But the suspect was said to had admitted beating the wife but denied flatly that he did not touch her on the date in question.

Speaking on the matter, the state police public relations officer, Mr. Frank Mba who confirmed  the arrest of the man however said the cause of death of Mrs Adetola could only be ascertained through autopsy reports.  “ From what I have heard from the DPO, the man has admitted beating his wife regularly but denied that on the date of the incident they only had a heated argument which never result to any physical contact.

But again, the police may question the reason why he took to his heels when the wife reportedly slumped and died.  However, in all this, only autopsy can prove his innocence or culpability”, he said.