The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has received a petition from Christiana Monday, a widow, regarding the alleged brutal murder of her husband, Raphael Monday, on a cocoa farm. She has also raised concerns about the police’s involvement in the matter.
In a petition dated November 29, 2024, which was made available to africa24hrs, Christiana accused a man named Mr. Ubi Ikpi of orchestrating her husband’s murder. She has called upon the IGP and the First Lady of Cross River State, Mrs. Eyoanwan Otu, to ensure that justice is achieved, describing the incident as a profound source of suffering for her and her three children.
Christiana reported that her husband was killed on September 26, 2024, at a cocoa farm located in Block 2D/66 Ikom, a government-owned estate. She became alarmed when he did not return home at his usual hour.
“My husband left home on September 26, 2024, stating he was going to the farm with his father. He was murdered by Ubi and his associates, who then took his body to the mortuary without informing me,” she claimed.
Her initial attempts to gather information were met with inconsistent responses. When she called her husband’s phone, a police officer from the Ikom Area Command answered and falsely stated that her husband had been arrested. Upon visiting the command, Christiana was directed to check the notice board for his name, but it was absent. The next day, September 27, she returned with her in-laws and recounted seeing the officer she had spoken to on the phone getting out of a vehicle with Ubi.
“The officer retrieved a bag that I recognized as belonging to my husband. He then informed me that my husband was deceased, and Ubi claimed to have taken his body from the farm and placed it in the mortuary,” she stated.
Christiana later identified her husband at the morgue. The widow also accused Bishop Collins Ogar of attempting to bribe her family with ₦400,000 to facilitate her husband’s burial and to keep the incident under wraps.
“They suggested we use the money for my husband’s burial and to assert that it was his farm group, which he had partnered with to purchase cocoa farms during the administration of former Governor Ben Ayade, that was responsible for his death. We declined the offer,” she stated.
She urged the police to investigate Bishop Collins regarding his potential involvement, asserting, “If he has no connection, why would he offer money for my husband’s burial?”
Now responsible for her three young children, Christiana appealed for justice and assistance.
“I am pleading with the Inspector General of Police and the Governor’s Wife to assist me. I am at a loss on how to care for these young children. Who will cover their school fees? Who will provide for them? Should their future be cut short like this?”
When reached for comment, Ubi Ikpi denied any connection to Raphael Monday’s death. “I am completely innocent of this accusation,” he stated. “The matter is with the Commissioner of Police, and you can obtain further information from them.”
SP Irene Ugbo, the Public Relations Officer of the Cross River State Police Command, mentioned that she could not verify whether the case had been reported to the Commissioner of Police. “If it’s an ongoing case, I cannot confirm because I am unaware of whether it has been reported to the Commissioner of Police. Investigations will continue until a logical conclusion is reached,” she explained.
The widow’s appeal has intensified calls for a comprehensive investigation to ensure justice is achieved.
