Sapele Hotelier allegedly beaten to death by Sons over Girlfriend dispute

Tragedy struck in Sapele, Delta State, as Deacon Emekeme Joseph, a well-known hotelier popularly known as Samikolo, was allegedly beaten to death by two of his children following a dispute over a girlfriend.

Emekeme, who owned the hotel chain Convenant Suites and was once the owner of a filling station, held a prominent position as a Deacon in a local Pentecostal church.

According to a source, the unfortunate incident unfolded after Emekeme’s sons discovered that their father was still involved with a girlfriend who had previously worked at one of his hotels. Upon learning this, the sons, both graduates from a private university, demanded one million naira from their father to keep the matter a secret from their mother, who was reportedly on vacation in the United States at the time.

Refusing to succumb to their demands, Emekeme called their bluff. In response, the sons allegedly informed their incensed mother about the affair. The following day, Emekeme visited his wife’s business establishment, where his sons, upon spotting him, confronted and chased him away.

A witness revealed that Emekeme, in anger, returned home and confiscated his sons’ car keys. This action further infuriated them, leading to a violent altercation in which they physically assaulted their father with punches and kicks. The situation escalated to the point where the police were called, and the sons even engaged in a physical altercation with the officers, leaving one of them injured.

Subsequently, the sons were apprehended by the police, while Emekeme was rushed to the hospital due to his rapidly deteriorating condition. However, his condition continued to worsen, prompting his transfer to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, where he fought for his life.

Alarming developments unfolded as Emekeme’s wife swiftly returned to the country, facilitated the release of her sons from police custody, and surprisingly discharged her husband against medical advice from the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, despite him being in a coma. Tragically, Emekeme passed away at home.

A police source, who chose to remain anonymous, confirmed the death of Deacon Joseph and revealed that the family had reported the incident to the police, stating, “His family has come to report the issue at the police station, so we are awaiting the next step.”

The untimely demise of Deacon Emekeme Joseph has sent shockwaves throughout the community, prompting concerns about domestic disputes and violence within families. Authorities are now tasked with investigating the circumstances surrounding his tragic death, while the grieving family seeks justice for their beloved father.

As the investigation unfolds, the community mourns the loss of a respected hotelier and faithful church member.

The incident serves as a somber reminder of the importance of addressing and resolving conflicts within families in a peaceful and respectful manner, underscoring the need for open dialogue and understanding to prevent such tragic outcomes in the future.