Governor Chime & Wife Admit She Was Detained… But It Was In Her Best Interest

Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State has confirmed reports that he is keeping
his wife incarcerated, but that he is doing so in her interest.
According to Saharareporters, Gov Chime said:
“I wanted the best for her and that’s why I pleaded with the doctors to have her
treated at home.
That’s also why I allowed her access to her telephone and laptop which
unfortunately led to the stage where I’m now being falsely accused of imprisoning
or detaining my own wife.”
With his wife, Clara Chime by his side at a press conference in Enugu, Gov Chime
disclosed that the battle concerning his wife’s health situation commenced even
before his inauguration in 2011.
“It was so bad at a time that she had to be taken out of here (Governor’s Lodge)
for treatment.
When she stabilized, I pleaded with her doctors if she could be brought back here
to be receiving her treatment at home and they graciously accepted.
There was a time she was confined indoors and that was strictly on her doctors’
advice. She’s here and she can confirm or deny it.
Also, the doctors then advised against allowing her access to telephones and
laptop.”
Asserting that he would never say or do anything to undermine the dignity of his
wife, he said his “big blunder” was to have allowed her access to the telephone
and her laptop, against the advice of her doctor, a mistake for which he is paying
dearly.
“Her brother is here, her doctor is here with us too. You people (journalists) can
confirm anything you want from them, either here and at your convenience.
Would I have been a better husband if I asked her to leave the Lodge because of
her medical challenge? Would it not have been more convenient for me if I allowed
her to stay and be treated in the hospital?”
Offered a chance to speak at the press conference, for a long time Mrs. Chime was
silent, ignoring persuasion from her husband and her brother.
At a point, her brother Tony took her to an adjacent room where they spent a few
minutes together before returning to the table. Tony then declared that she was
willing to talk but Mrs. Chime dramatically delivered only another round of silence.
Eventually, the First Lady said:
“You (referring to the governor) and my doctor can speak on my behalf.”
To that, the governor politely replied:
“Yes, I’m your husband and should ordinarily do so but you know I’m the one
being accused of detaining you. This way, I’ve lost that privilege to speak for you,
at least on this case.
The story out there also is that your doctor is probably scared of me and gives you
all kinds of drugs, sometimes against your wish.”
Mrs. Chime merely said:
“My doctor and I don’t have any problem.”
Concerning the petition to the NHRC, she corroborated an earlier text message she
had sent to her husband that she had not met Falana or engaged him to seek her
release from a purported unlawful custody.
But she admitted that she wrote a letter to Dr. Agumuo and another doctor
overseas to whom she was introduced, but said she did not know how the letter
leaked to the public.
She also admitted that she was once confined to a room without access to her
telephone and laptop. “That was when I had a serious crisis,” she said.
Mrs. Chime also confirmed that she has the key to her room and controls her entry
and exit, contrary to the claim in the petition that she had been locked up for
asking to be allowed to leave.
Her grouse was that she had not been allowed to leave the premises, but it was
learned that she attended Mass last Sunday.
Governor Chime chipped in:
“All I want to reassure you is that she is safe here. Her confinement within the
premises for now is at the instance of her doctor who is here. Why would I want my
wife locked up? If it had been that I had issues with her, there are many ways to
resolve them.
But that’s not the case. She is not well and I’m willing to do anything to support
and protect her.
It was always more convenient for me to have taken the easier route but that
would have been very callous and ungodly.
When I had my own health challenge, I was receiving treatment in London and
thinking about her, making sure she received the right treatment. I’m forever
grateful to her doctors who have done a great job.
Both families are billed to meet very soon and after that, I’ll take a decision which
will be in the interest of both parties.”
Challenging the petition to the IGP by Mr. Falana, the governor said:
“He’s my professional colleague but sometimes you leave people to their
conscience. I won’t join words with him. Has he met this client of his as he
claimed to assess her state of mind and determine if she can give him the right
brief to guide his case?
Did he ask for access to her or to me and was denied? I leave it at that.”
He described the development as the penalty a public officer faces, adding that
when he was receiving treatment in London, some of the newspapers reported that
I had died in India.
“I’ve never been to India and had never applied for an Indian visa. Today, the
story is that I’ve imprisoned my own wife in my residence.
I know their motives but I wish those behind such wicked tales well.”
He did not identify the people or their motives.