Husband Burns Wife Alive Over Family Property
What began as a dispute over a family house in Lagos ended in tragedy after Chinyere Ogudoro lost her life in a fire allegedly set by her husband, Benjamin.
Chinyere had been living in Scotland, where she pursued a master’s degree in International Business Management and established a business in Glasgow. She later reunited her family abroad, bringing Benjamin and their four children to join her.
However, their relationship was reportedly marked by serious domestic problems, including an earlier alleged machete attack on Chinyere by her husband.
In 2022, tensions reportedly escalated when Benjamin returned to Nigeria and attempted to sell their family house in Lagos without his wife’s approval.
The property documents were in Chinyere’s name, and the attempted sale reportedly prompted her to return to Nigeria to protect the house.
On March 31, 2022, she arrived in Lagos, where her younger brother, Ifeanyi, picked her up from the airport. Concerned about the strained relationship between his sister and Benjamin, Ifeanyi decided to stay overnight at the house.
In the early hours of the following morning, Benjamin allegedly banged on the door and accused the pair of locking him outside.
Although the disturbance eventually stopped, the prosecution later alleged that Benjamin carried out a plan that resulted in the fatal fire.
According to the prosecution’s account, he switched off the main water supply before obtaining petrol from the generator area.
He allegedly entered the bedroom where Chinyere and Ifeanyi were sleeping, poured petrol over them and their mattress, and set it alight.
The victims reportedly tried to escape the rapidly spreading flames, but the door had allegedly been locked from the outside.
They then rushed towards the bathroom, hoping to use water to fight the fire. However, they discovered that the taps were dry because the water supply had been cut off.
Ifeanyi eventually broke through the door and escaped with severe burns. Chinyere was unable to survive the incident and died at the scene.
Before his own injuries proved fatal, Ifeanyi reportedly gave neighbours and police officers an account of what had happened. His statement became an important part of the case against Benjamin.
During the investigation and subsequent trial, Benjamin denied setting the fire. He reportedly claimed that he had been drinking at a nearby bar and returned to find the house already burning.
The matter was eventually heard by the Lagos State High Court, which found Benjamin guilty on four counts of murder and arson and sentenced him to death by hanging.
The heartbreaking case serves as a reminder that domestic abuse and unresolved family conflicts can have devastating consequences. No disagreement over property, money or relationships can justify violence against another person.
This story condemns domestic violence and all forms of abuse. Anyone experiencing abuse should seek help from trusted people or appropriate support services before the situation escalates.
Disclaimer: This account is based on reported events and court proceedings and is intended for documentary and educational purposes.
