A boxer allegedly beat his brother-in-law to death in Edo

A boxer identified as Scott Eguabor is on the run after allegedly beating his brother-in-law, Sunday Okoro, to death in Benin City, Edo State.

It was collected that Sunday was trying to resolve a marital crisis between the boxer and his wife, the deceased’s immediate younger sister.

According to Nigerian Tribune, the incident happened on March 19, 2023, at Erie Street, near Sokponba Road, Benin City, a week after the boxer allegedly assaulted a pastor over a disagreement over security tax.

Eguabor, a coach in charge of boxing with the Edo State Sports Ministry Board and head of the state security network in Erie and surrounding areas, reportedly fled his home after committing the crime, in barely a month after the victim’s wife gave birth.

Okoro, a father of three, reportedly responded to an invitation from his younger sister, who is a renowned judoka in the same sports ministry as her husband, to settle a quarrel in their household.

An eyewitness, Osahon Okoro-Obaraye, told the publication that Eguabor inflicted serious injuries on Okoro’s eyes and nose.

According to him, Sunday wept bitterly over the attack before going to Esigie Police Division where he made a formal complaint and was advised by a police officer on duty to go treat the injury.

The eyewitness added that in the heat of the ordeal, Mr Sunday, believed to be in his early 30s and bleeding profusely, went to his in-laws’ home in First Erie Lane and asked where Boxer was there, without the presence of the police who did not follow the injured victim to the scene of the crime.

He explained that suddenly on Sunday, who could barely mumble, would have collapsed and passed away and sensing the danger, the suspected murderer fled immediately.

Okoro-Obaraye recalled how Eguabor terrorized residents of Erie and surrounding areas with firearms under the robe of Edo State Vigilante Network, Aruosa Command near the Igbesamwan Street junction.

A distraught Okoro-Obaraye also revealed that he had taken various hospitals in Benin in his vehicle on Sunday for emergency medical treatment after collapsing, but on Sunday was confirmed dead by doctors.

He alleged that Eguabor also had dealings with several people in the neighborhood, including a cleric, who was fortunately rescued by members of his church after the suspect attacked him.

Okoro-Obaraye said the suspect’s wife informed her older brother who lives in Upper Sokponba Road by phone to come to her aid when she had an argument with her husband late on Saturday, March 18, 2023.

“Scott’s wife told her brother that his life was in danger. Therefore, the older brother called Mr. Sunday who works on Erie Street as a coffin maker but lives on Ski Street in Benin steps in,” he explained.

“After Sunday, who was in the church received a phone call from his older brother, he left his church around 2 p.m. He (Sunday) greeted me (the eyewitness) on Erie Street and walked then went to a place called “Mama Joy bar” where Scott was relaxing.

“After greeting his brother-in-law (Scott) and his sister, he asked the couple were they still arguing? Why can’t they stop their incessant bickering. Suddenly, Scott stood up and punched Sunday directly across the nose and mouth.

“Immediately Sunday fell, Scott started screaming and ordered to end Sunday’s life. As a result, some people who were present at the scene were lifted off the ground on Sunday. Momentarily, Sunday limped off stage and began lamenting his ordeal.

“The Esigie police immediately prepared an extract for Sunday to go to the Police Clinic in Benin for treatment before Sunday began to give his statement.

“They (sympathisers) wanted to bring Sunday’s corpse to his killer’s paternal home and I objected to this to avoid further bloodshed. I then took his body to the same police station where we were advised to take his body to one of the hospital morgues we took him after the incident to preserve it.

Mr Sunday, a coffin maker, had just finished paying the debt of over N300,000 he incurred after his wife (widowed) gave birth to a baby boy via Caesarean section (CS).

“Who will take care of the young widow and her three children?” Asks Okoro-Obaraye, while demanding justice.