An Anambra-based food vendor identified as Ngozi Aloefuna, has been remanded in custody after the skeleton of her brother who died two years ago was seen in her apartment in Amikwo Village, Awka South Local Government Area of the state.
The deceased man, Stephen Aloefuna, said to be a former footballer with Rangers International Club in the 80s allegedly died of mental illness.
People in the area are pointing accusing fingers on the food vendor alleging that she used her brother’s remains to cook the food she sells to the public in Eke-Awka market.
Eyewitnesses to the horror told Daily Sun that the remains of the young man was discovered by one of his brothers, Mr. Ifeanyi Aloefuna who insisted on knowing where the man was buried.
He was shocked to the marrows to when he saw the corpse inside a room and raisedan alarm which attracted some residents.
The woman attracted the wrath of the neighbours when she was unable to give a tangible reason why she concealed the corpse for two years.
Some of her relatives however, refuted claims that she kept the corpse for diabolical purposes adding that she tried all she could to ensure the deceased recovered from the illness before he gave up the ghost.
It was also learnt that Aloefuna had contacted one of her brothers to inform him about the death of the young man but instead got a rebuff.
She then took abandoned the corpse in the room where it eventually decomposed to a skeleton.
Commenting on the incident, the food vendor who refuted claims that she cooked human parts said, “I am innocent. I did not kill my brother. Everybody knew he had a mental problem and was seriously sick before he died.
“Before he died, I was the only person that was taking care of him for years and nobody asked me how he was faring until he died.
“They said I killed him and used his body to prepare the food that I sell but only God knows the truth. I leave it for God to judge.”
“I decided to cover him till he comes back because only I cannot bury him. After two years of his death, some of our family members came and asked of him and I told them he is dead and they said I should show them his grave.
“I opened his room and showed them where he died. Then I was arrested and taken to the police station.”
She further refuted claims of embalming the corpse with native herbs to dry it and prevent any odour.
A source from the neighbourhood revealed that a pungent smell had filtered the air in the area for several months but they could not decipher where it came from until the shocking discovery.
The corpse was taken to the police station while the suspect was detained and questioned after which she was freed following the intervention of some of her relatives.
The deceased was subsequently buried in their compound.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Uche Eze, confirmed the incident and said that investigations were ongoing.
