Man Sentenced to Six Months for Evicting Wife and Destroying Their Home

An Iboko High Court in Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi State, has sentenced Chituru Mbam, 39, to six months in prison for forcefully evicting his wife, Mbam Ozoemena, from their home and destroying the property.

The couple, married since 2009 and parents to five children, faced ongoing marital issues that led to the eviction. On January 6, 2026, Mbam, along with two unidentified men, forcibly removed his wife from their home shortly after moving into a new building.

After the eviction, Mbam allegedly had his wife arrested and detained at the Police Headquarters in Abakaliki. While she was in custody, he returned to their home and removed the roof, doors, windows, and other valuable items, making the house unlivable.

The situation prompted a local human rights group, the Rose Foundation for the Protection of Women and Children, to intervene. Their Executive Secretary, Professor Mike Ajanwachukwu, filed a formal complaint with the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police, which led to Mbam’s arrest and prosecution.

On Monday, Justice Ruth Okeh delivered the judgment, finding Mbam guilty. Along with the six-month prison sentence, the court ordered him to pay his wife ₦500,000 in damages and to provide her with suitable housing.

Mrs. Ijeoma Mike-Ajanwachukwu, the complainant’s lawyer, praised the court for its decision, stating that no spouse has the right to evict another from their shared home. She noted that Mbam’s actions violated the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law of Ebonyi State, which protects individuals from such treatment.