Mother of two still missing six weeks after mysterious disappearance from palace in Delta State
Joy Anyim
Where is Mary Stephen Okoi? Is she dead or alive? Who is responsible for her mysterious disappearance?
These are the questions the Delta State Police Command is yet to give answers to, six weeks after Mary suddenly went missing at the palace of her husband’s grandfather, His Royal Highness, Igwe Ugbome II of Okpai Kingdom, Umuada Quarters in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State.
Mary, an indigene of Ugep in Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross Rivers State, was last seen on December 24, 2020, after travelling to celebrate the Christmas festivity with her husband’s family.
Though The Nigerian Xpress gathered that the relationship between the 37-year-old mother of two and her in-laws had not been cordial, she was said to have gone missing barely a few hours after a misunderstanding with he grandmother-in-law.
According to the brother of the missing woman, Lieutenant Colonel Okoi Stephen Okoi, Commanding Officer, 333 Artillery Regiment, Maiduguri, Borno State, Mary had earlier expressed fear for her life because of the deity her husband, Mr. Collins Okpo Ugbome, worships.
He stated that although Mary had suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Syndrome (PTSDS), owing to an accident she experienced 12 years back, she had never left the house without informing anyone where she was going.
Speaking through his solicitors, I.H. Ngada & Co, Stephen said his family suspects foul play, hence, called for an unbiased and in-depth investigation into the mysterious disappearance.
In a petition addressed to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, the Delta State Police Command, the Department of State Security Service (DSS), among other security formations, Stephen urged them to unravel the truth of the matter and ensure that justice prevails.
Part of the petition read: “Our client reliably informed us that his sibling, Mrs. Mary Stephen Okoi, Female, 37-year-old, is missing. She is married to Mr. Collins Okpo Ugbome of No. 45, Ujuju Street, off Umusan Road, Kwale, Delta State. The marriage is blessed with two children aged nine and three. Mary, her husband and the children left their residence to her husband’s grandfather’s palace for Christmas on December 24, 2020, on the request of her husband’s grandmother, Mrs. Igwe Ugbome of Okpai Royal Palace.
“He said Mary was not inclined to travel because one of her daughters was sick and on medication, which resulted in the child vomiting during the trip, and upon reaching the palace, there was a misunderstanding between Mary and her grandmother-in-law. That despite the fact that there are CCTV cameras, coupled with policemen, vigilante groups and the anti-cult members in the palace, there has been no information as to the whereabouts of Mary since her arrival at the palace.
“Though Mary had an accident wherein she fell off a motorcycle about 12 years ago and has been on treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Syndrome (PTSDS) the condition had not affected her daily routine at any given time whatsoever and she has not for once left home without informing someone of the place she is going to.
“Our client was alerted to the fact that Mary was missing by his immediate younger sister, Mrs Blessing Bassey, who lives in Benin City, Edo State on the morning of December 25, 2020. Mrs Bassey received a call from Mr. Collins that his wife left the palace on the night of December 24, 2020, to an unknown destination. It is pertinent to note that our client briefed us that Mary had not had a cordial relationship with her husband and his family lately, and she was last heard of in that family’s royal palace.
“Our client is not specifically and categorically convinced by the explanation given by the husband, and members of the royal family as per the whereabouts of Mary. From his preliminary findings into the matter, which we contend to be evident with conspiracy and foul play that calls for a detailed criminal investigation and prosecution of accomplices involved without any fear or favour.
“This is in view of the fact that Mary had once expressed fear for her life is at risk to our client because of a deity the husband worships. Our client and his entire family are affronted, aggrieved, distressed and very much concerned about the mysterious disappearance of Mary.
“ We, therefore, consider it very impressive that we bring this formal complaint to your humble self and urge you, sir, to use your good office to intervene in the potentially dangerous situation of a missing human life and treat the matter with utmost urgency.”
The Nigerian Xpress contacted Mr. Collins on his mobile phone number for comment on the matter. However, he referred the correspondent to the Police and the DSS.
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“The Police and DSS are handling the matter and I will leave it there for now. So, after their investigation, that is when I can say anything; you can also meet the police for my statement, ” he said.
