*Please be warned that this story contains a graphic picture some might consider offensive

By Evelyn  Usman
Mrs.  Eucharia Nnadi, the step mother of Henry Nnadi, who is currently in Kirikiri prison awaiting  trial pending advice from the  Directorate  of  Public Prosecution, DPP over  the murder of his one-year-old son and attempted murder of his wife, finally bared  her mind on the latter’s  action, describing it as despicable.

Henry was alleged to have killed his one-year-old son on allegation  that his wife, Mercy, was sleeping with his biological father.  He however, did not end at that, as he went ahead to  inflict  third degree burns on his wife, using a hot pressing iron, a situation doctors at New Evolution hospital in Ago area of Okota, Lagos are still battling to contain.

In this interview with Crime Guard, the light skinned woman who was seen at the hospital, assisting Mercy to ease herself and attending to her other  needs, told this reporter that Mercy was now  in a stable condition adding, “She is much better now than when she was rushed here on April 7 , 2012.”

The mother of  four is not new to the numerous challenges associated with being a step- mother as she got married to her 65-year-old husband about  twelve years ago after the death of  his first wife who left behind seven children. In addition to this is her  display  of  high sense of maturity  and understanding  of the ugly scenario her step-son was painting about her husband.

Reacting to  incest accusation against her hubby, Madam Eucharia simply retorted , “ God forbid, my husband will never do a  thing like that. Take a good look at me, am I not  young and good looking enough? Tell me, why would my husband  condescend so low as to sleep  with his own daughter-in-law ? My husband can’t leave me for any other woman and I can vouch my life for him in that regard because  I have never known him as a womanizer;  never!”

Continuing she said, “When Mary came into the family, I treated her like any mother-in-law would  treat her daughter-in-law. Several times, she rushed to me to complain about her husband and I would advise her accordingly.

At the end, I would give her money and food stuff  because she claimed her husband was not giving her money to feed herself and her baby.  At such times, my husband was never at home, for he would  have gone to his shop where he stays until evening .

Tell me, will I be at home and allow such thing to happen before my eyes? That is an abomination and to think it is coming from one’s son is sad to say the least. Do you know what I have deduced from this whole  unsavoury drama?  My step son is just jealous of his father.

I remember when one of his daughters came with her fiance for introduction and before  everyone, Henry asked why  his father should be  alive to eat his female children’s bride price.  He said his father’s  mates  died at 50 and 60 years and wondered why he did not follow the family pattern.

He said also that he wished his father was dead  so that  he would be the one to collect his sisters’  bride prices as the first son. He also went further to state that by the time my own children would be getting married , that he would be the one to be collecting their bride prices because by then, his father would have died.

Again, when his wife, Mercy  put to bed, one of our sons-in-law gave the baby N2000, but Henry got angry, saying the man gave me more than that   when I put to bed. He is just jealous of his dad . He wants my husband dead so that he will assume the position of the head of the family”, she stated.

Mercy  needs skin grafting surgery

Meanwhile, 36-year-old Mercy  is still in excruciating pains as a result of the intensity of burns she sustained from the hot pressing iron her husband placed on her skin. However, there  are fears that  Mercy  may never be the same  again,expect something urgent in terms of financial assistance is rendered  to ameliorate her condition.

Indication emerged Thursday that Mercy would  be needing  skin grafting , particularly in her breast and chest region which seemed to have defied all manner of treatment . These parts and her thigh which enclosed her vigina are still emitting fluid and dent of blood.
Skin grafting  is a type of  graft surgery involving the skin which is used to treat extensive wounds and burns.

Aside the donation of N350,000 by the first lady of  Akwa-Ibom state,  another N60,000 by an anonymous donour and one Stephanie from London who donated N30,000 , no other donation  has been received as  at the time of filling this report on .

*Mercy

Speaking on Mercy’s condition, Dr Eze  said the burns on the chest and private part regions are still not healing fast , compared to other affected parts. He said Mercy would be under observation for another one month, as this would allow  them consider the possibility of  skin grafting.

“We cannot do skin grafting now because the area  we are expected to take skin from is still healing. We have to treat her for another one  month in order to know  the extent of the healing of the chest region”

Asked if the hospital was capable of carrying out the skin  grafting  surgery, Dr Eze  said the hospital would invite its surgeons when the time comes.  Aside the excruciating pain, Mercy , as at the time of this report  is  down with Malaria .

For financial assistance, well meaning Nigerians and organizations are enjoined to make  their donations to :

Account number  6051590618. Account name: Agugosi  Merci  Anwuli. Fidelity bank. Mercy can personally be reached on GSM phone number 0802-6216985.