Abusive Marraige that leads to Mrs Glory Uwak’s death as narrated by Roberta Edu

Abusive Marraige that leads to Mrs Glory Uwak’s death as narrated by Roberta Edu

Last week, Uyo social media community was trending on the death of a young woman, Mrs. Glory Ubong Uwak, when the husband, Ubong Awak made a post on Facebook looking for a life partner when the late wife hasn’t been buried yet. His post elicited reactions across the country as many suspected him to have a hand in the death of his wife.

Those who knew the lady and her abusive marriage before her death came out, telling the world the little they know about the lady before her sudden exit. One among them is Mrs. Roberta Edu, who explained her encounter with late Mrs. Glory Awak with her husband before her death.

She wrote:

“You all know I’ve been so busy running my business that I barely have time for myself lately. But this photo went viral, and a lot of friends who knew Glory was my staff have reached out.

“You remember when I posted the story of her death just hours after our meeting. Before long, families and friends began reaching out to share different stories of alleged abuse this girl suffered at the hands of her husband Leo Ubby Uwak. After hearing so much, I contacted her family members, and they all confirmed that she had endured abuse.

Mrs Roberta Edu

“I spoke to my company’s lawyer, and he advised that her family should file a petition with the police. Together with some of Glory’s friends, we supported her family in filing an official complaint. The suspect was arrested, and the police requested that we pay for an autopsy, which we did. During that time, I started receiving threats from his village people, but that was nothing I couldn’t handle. Deep down, though, I was hoping our suspicions were wrong, that Glory had died of natural causes.

“But when the autopsy came out, our pain deepened. It revealed a deep crack in her skull, blood that flew from the cracks to the throat, and other abnormalities. We began to press the police to act appropriately. Meanwhile, bribery attempts were happening left, right, and center from Ubong’s family. But that wasn’t my consent. We focused on getting the police to do the right thing, I have even had to escalate the matter to Police Headquarters in Abuja, because of a corrupt counterpart at Ikot Akpan Abia. Eventually, the file was sent to the DPP for prosecution.

While we waited and hoped for justice, Glory’s family, her father and siblings who had filed the initial petition, withdrew from the case. They even began fighting those of us outsiders who were supporting them to get justice, his Dad would later write the police, to withdraw the case, that his son inlaw was incapable of doing such, even though autopsy was staring us in the face.

“My people, I was ready to fight the police, the suspect, and anyone standing in the way of justice. The only ones I didn’t want to fight were her family. Because tell me, how do you lose a daughter, and then join hands with the suspect, when the autopsy clearly shows she didn’t d1e naturally, to fight those asking for justice?

“I quietly withdrew from the case and left Ubong to God. It wasn’t long before his family found their way through the system and secured his release.

Ubong Uwak and his wife Glory during their wedding

“Now look at the embarrassment, the week he left prison, he posted on a dating platform, looking for a wife.

“Women, you always say you want marriage. If you like, go and marry him. You might just be the next victim. He hasn’t buried the one that died with autopsy reporting pointing to domestic abuse, he wants another.

“If you’re in an abusive relationship, but trying to stay to please the society, continue to stay you hear, you will really please us just like this.

“PS: I thought about the entire thing, right from her wedding day and all that transpired that day. And I know that the church had all the right to have canceled the wedding. But I believe the church acted out of love, like a love from father and daughter, they didn’t want to let her down, they didn’t want her to be sad, she really wanted it, I am sure they asked her are you sure? And she said have never been this sure my entire life, so they decided to make her happy, and for this I think the church was right, love for human should always surpassed rules, and I will edit the part of the church because this is exactly what I would have expected the church to do in this case. To show more love, than obedience to the rules.

Ubong Uwak post on social media looking for a wife when the late wife is still in the morgue

“Everything we did was in our capacity as the employer of the deceased. It’s exactly what I would expect my own office to do for me.

“We thank God for all that we were able to uncover. It has strengthened my resolve to advice women never to negotiate with their abusers, but leave completely.

“The phrase “God hates divorce” does not apply to a woman who is being abused. And don’t be afraid, thinking that if you leave, you can’t remarry. You can remarry. And no, you won’t go to hell for it.

“Anyone telling you that you’ll go to hell for remarrying after a divorce from abuser is not thinking straight.

“Aside from the family of my staff failing her by withdrawing the petition under pressure, another group that truly failed her was her local church. This young woman lived as an orphan, her church was her main family. She lived for the church and served it all her life.

“When we tried to explain to the police that her father and other family members were not really present in her life which is why they are withdrawing, and that she was much closer to her church, the police asked, “So where is the church she was close to?” We couldn’t answer.

“The church had firsthand witnesses. In fact, 80% of the people who reached out to me about the abuse were church members. But after the church conducted a pseudo investigation with body language that seems to tell members to “be careful” some members even called me and said, “Please, I won’t be able to testify oo.” But this is the truth.

“There was a particular church leader, almost everyone told me he knew about the abuse. He had even suspended the young man because of it before. They said he was the one who could rally others to speak. I called this man, trying to ask if he had any idea about the abuse. He looked the phone in the eye and lied through the speaker, saying he knew nothing about it. “In fact, they were the best couple,” he said. When I told the three people who had asked me to speak to him, that this was the same man who suspended the abuser before due to this, they wept. If you are that man, just know: you will reap what you sow.

“Who was supposed to lead the petition? Me, a woman far away in Lagos who employed the victim only for a short time? Or the church who saw her when she was 10, 15, 20, 30, and even 40?

“Glory would cross the waters in a small boat just to preach the gospel on behalf of this church. She would travel from Uyo to Lagos for concerts. The local church knew the antecedents of the man she married. They may have warned her, but at her sudden demise, the church was expected to do far more. This lady was at choir practice just hours before she passed.

“But the church let her down. They failed her. Silence isn’t just indifference, silence when a key member of your team dies suddenly under suspicious circumstances is complicit.

“So I’m calling on the church headquarters, all over the world, to hold the Uyo branch accountable.

“Even the DPP office told one of us, “You know, if the church, whom they were both very close to, had done the right thing, the case would have been concluded long before now.” But like Pilate, they washed their hands off.

“You didn’t want this to reach social media. But see how God works, He found a way. And I will continue to call you out every day, until you do the right thing. As I remember each detail, I will post.

“This is my platform. If you want privacy, go and write your letters through email.

“The people who rush to say, “This should be handled privately because a church is involved,” are worse than infidels, they are the true cost of the change we seek.

“Someone sees wrongdoing within a church and uses their platform to call for change. Instead of reflecting on the message, you ignore it, no matter how cruel the injustice, and say, “Don’t tarnish the church. Don’t spoil its image. Why not discuss this in a closed meeting?”

“Do you realize how cruel that sounds? How inhuman it is to prioritize protecting a church’s building and reputation over the basic decency of human happiness, comfort, and life?

“Some of you have been so deeply indoctrinated that you’ve deviated from the true path of Christ. You’ve never asked yourself, “What would Jesus do?” I know many of you aren’t aware of these truths, which is why I’m taking the time to write this post.

“The irony is that you may one day need the very platform you’re now dragging, especially if meaningful changes aren’t made.

“No one can tarnish the image of a church unless the church itself is already doing so through harmful practices. No matter how much you try to hide wrongdoing, it will eventually be exposed shouted from the rooftops. That’s what the Bible says.

“On Glory’s matter, the church board has gathered from across the country and relocated to Uyo to conduct an independent investigation. We are closely following their progress and praying that God will guide everyone with the right intentions among them to do what is just, not only so Glory receives justice, but also as a deterrent to other men and women who think they can act with impunity.

“To those of you who have been defending instead of allowing room for a fair hearing, we’re watching you closely. Everyone on the table we will monitor.

“There are other updates, but since the church board is now actively working to uncover the truth, I’ll prioritize sending any relevant information directly to aid their efforts.

“I thank them for listening to us. I value leaders who are not only responsive but also take meaningful action.

“And if, for a second, you think we’re merely playing or making noise on social media, the joke’s on you.