A pregnant woman beaten to death over debt in Oyo

Firstclass Newsline learnt that a textile trader in Gbagi Market,
Ibadan, Oyo State, Kudirat Oduola, has been beaten to death by thugs
allegedly sent by a co-trader who lent her N2m.
Firstclass Newsline learnt that the deceased, who was three months
pregnant, had approached one Oriekun to assist her with the money to
buy textile materials.
The deceased's brother, Abdulahi Asimolowo, said Oduola paid the N2m
debt five months after it was borrowed, adding that Oriekun, however,
insisted that she would collect N400,000 as interest for five months.
He said, "It is a common practice among traders at Gbagi Market to
assist one another with money to buy goods. No interest is usually
charged. This was what happened between my sister and Oriekun.
"Oriekun assisted my sister with the sum of N2m, which was refunded
after five months. She, however, insisted that she would collect
interest on the money for another five months. She said she would
collect N400,000 per month. She also threatened the deceased to
consider herself a walking corpse if she refused to pay the interest."
Asimolowo explained that the deceased later agreed to pay the interest
when she could no longer cope with Oriekun's harassment.
"She actually paid some of the interest, but when she could no longer
continue, she told Oriekun that she was tired of paying because she
could no longer afford it," he added.
Asimolowo said on May 19, 2016, some thugs were allegedly sent by
Oriekun to deal with the deceased for failing to pay the money.
He said, "The thugs beat her up and left her when she collapsed. She
lost her pregnancy as a result of the attack and she was rushed to the
hospital.
"She was taken to a private hospital at Olodo area, and later
transferred to the Police Hospital at Eleyele. From there, she was
transferred to the University College Hospital where she died on July
9, 2016."
Firstclass Newsline learnt that Oriekun had been arrested by the Oyo
State Police Command.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Adekunle Ajisebutu, confirmed the
incident, adding that investigation was ongoing.