Yesterday, Governor of Enugu state Sullivan Chime rejected claims of subjecting his spouse, Mrs. Clara Chime, to “house arrest,” and declared he is intent to protect her from being ridiculed. His wife, also present at the interview session, denied sending any petition to the National Human Rights Commission accusing Chime of violating her freedom.
Apart from the Governor and his wife, also present were Mrs. Chime’s elder brother Mr. Tony Igwe, her neuro-psychiatric doctor, Dr. Aham Agumuo, as well as Governor’s siblings, Mrs. May Oji and Dr. Jide Chime.
Mrs. Chime denied applying to the NHRC and hiring services of Mr. Femi Falana (or any other lawyer) to help her seek her freedom from an alleged house arrest at the Governor’s lodge, Enugu.
It will be recalled that Falana, in his letter to media houses and the Inspector-General of Police stated that he was hired by the Governor’s wife.
Chime said his wife has some health problems, but it would be unkind for him to talk about this issue to the media reprsentatives.
He then said he has done everything to protect his wife’s integrity, and was not going to expose her to ridicule because some people try to exploit current situation to involve him in a “war of words”.
“We’ve been battling this [health challenges] prior to my inauguration in 2011,” the Governor continued. “It was so bad at a time that she had to be taken out of here [Governor’s Lodge] for treatment. When she stabilized, I pleaded with her doctors if she could be brought back here to be receiving her treatment at home and they graciously accepted.
“There was a time she was confined indoors and that was strictly on her doctors’ advice. She’s here and she can confirm or deny it. Also, the doctors then advised against allowing her access to telephones and laptop.
“I cannot say or do anything to undermine her dignity. She is, first and foremost, my wife,” the Governor continued emotionally. “The big blunder I committed was allowing her access to the telephone and her laptop, against the advice of her doctor. I’m paying dearly for that today, going by what is happening now.
“Her brother is here, her doctor is here with us, too. You people[journalists] can confirm anything you want from them, either here and at your convenience. Would I have been a better husband if I asked her to leave the Lodge because of her medical challenge? Would it not have been more convenient for me if I allowed her to stay and be treated in the hospital?
“But, like I said earlier, I wanted the best for her, and that’s why I pleaded with the doctors to have her treated at home. That’s also why I allowed her access to her telephone and laptop which unfortunately led to the stage where I’m now being falsely accused of imprisoning or detaining my own wife.”
Mrs. Chime, despite encouragement from her husband, and brother, could not speak, asking her husband and doctor to do so on her behalf.
The Governor replied: “Yes, I’m your husband and should ordinarily do so, but you know I’m the one being accused of detaining you. This way, I’ve lost that privilege to speak for you, at least on this case.
“The story out there also is that your doctor is probably scared of me and gives you all kinds of drugs, sometimes against your wish.”
To this, Mrs. Chime replied, “My doctor and I don’t have any problem.”
She confirmed that she has the key to her room and controls her entry and exit, contrary to the claim in the petition that she had been locked up for asking to be allowed to leave.
Governor Chime then wondered why he would want to lock up his wife, and maintained that there are a lot of other ways to resolve personal issues.
“It was always more convenient for me to have taken the easier route but that would have been very callous and ungodly. When I had my own health challenge, I was receiving treatment in London and thinking about her, making sure she received the right treatment. I’m forever grateful to her doctors who have done a great job. Both families are billed to meet very soon and after that, I’ll take a decision which will be in the interest of both parties.”
Speaking about Falana, who sent the petition to the IGP, Chime had this to say: “He’s my professional colleague, but sometimes you leave people to their conscience. I won’t join words with him.
“Has he met this client of his as he claimed to assess her state of mind and determine if she can give him the right brief to guide his case? Did he ask for access to her or to me and was denied? I leave it at that.
“That’s the penalty you face as a public officer. When I was receiving treatment in London, some of the newspapers reported that I had died in India. I’ve never been to India and had never applied for an Indian visa. Today, the story is that I’ve imprisoned my own wife in my residence. I know their motives but I wish those behind such wicked tales well ,” the Governor concluded.
Source: Punch Newspapers
His excellency you are a good man, your communication is excellent, you don’t argue with truth, your God will vindicate you, keep up the good works my prayers are with you.i want ta assure that God will definitely defend you. Thank you sir.
Wow! Somebody shout a big HALLELUYAH!
Truly God lives in you & I pray for your wife, receive your healing now in Jesus name, Amen. You’re a true xtian, as for Falana & co I wish you well, God will judge you. Chime you are doing just what is xpected of you.
I pray for your wife, receive your healing now in Jesus name, Amen. You’re a true xtian, as for Falana & co I wish you well, God will judge you. Chime you are doing just what is xpected of you.
May Almighty God give her a quick recovery and u d husband continue taking care of her God will reward u 4rever.
One way or the other the truth is being established. Falana is in Lagos. Somebody must have informed him of the fact that her excellency is being disallowed to move around. Has it not been confirmed even by his excellency now that her excellency is confined ? People who blame falana are shallow thinkers. Period.
Was dis woman sick before he became governor? If no, pls ask him to frr
Free d woman health.
In every rumor, there is an iota of truth.
Mrs. Chime replied, “My doctor and I don’t have any problem.” Invariably, There’s a problem somewhere. Let God take charge of that.
De truth is dere nd only God knows, but one day it shall be told.
there’s an iota of truth in all Sullivan said. She has some health problems which he wouldn’t want to discuss with journalists. May God heal them both, and be the judge.
One day we will all hear the true story. We all have very bad feeling about this.
There r things u tell animals & not humans. wat kind of sickness will make one as young as she is, not have access to laptops and fons. ur not addressing fools. i have spent my better yrs abroad. tell that to fools that want to buy ur half baked story. think harder to convince me and other pple that understand. i am an engineer and works abroad. thanks
to all you that haven’t been using your heads properly before uttering words that derogate your level of intelligence: isn’t it obvious to you the woman is suffering from a mental disorder? And as wife to a public figure should she be treated @ home or in the hospital where journalists can get pretty nosy? Should she also be allowed access to her phone & laptop where she could be contacted by the nosy press? And of course as one who isn’t mentally stable what would you expect from her? Reasonable utterances? Though there could still be some part of the story that’s untold we should know this is a family issue.
So don’t come and rant here that you live abroad yada yada yada its meaningless and pointless your reasoning power’s all that matters.
Here’s wishing them the best and they should better start remembering their marital vows and put them into practice; for better for worse, in sickness or in health….