Man marries dead wife in Ebonyi

One Onyema Orji over the weekend was made to marry his dead wife, identified as Blessing in order to take custody of his children in Nwakpu, Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

It was gathered that Orji had divorced Blessing because her mother was intruding into their marital affairs, forcing Blessing to marry another man, one Chukwuma.

Orji’s union to the deceased produced a twin while her marriage to Chukwuma had no child till her death.

It was further learnt that drama broke out during the burial of Blessing when Orji demanded to take custody of the children and to bury his late wife but was barred from doing so. He was forced to perform the traditional marriage rite so as to give him the right to take custody of the children.

With the body of Blessing lying motionless in the casket awaiting burial, Onyema was made to perform the traditional marriage rites, wedded her and subsequently left with his children.